Overview
- Ruben Torres Maldonado was arrested Oct. 18 by immigration agents in a Niles Home Depot parking lot during a targeted enforcement operation.
- After a Thursday hearing, the judge requested additional government filings and said a release decision will come Friday; Torres is now held at the Clay County Detention Center in Indiana.
- The Department of Homeland Security cites habitual driving violations and says Torres tried to flee and backed into a government vehicle, a characterization the family and attorney dispute.
- Torres’ counsel filed an emergency petition arguing his detention is unlawful and noting his 16-year-old daughter’s doctor says her care requires both parents’ support.
- Illinois officials and community groups are urging humanitarian release, and a fundraiser for legal and family support has collected more than $80,000.