A Chicago father of two, detained over past traffic violations, was released from immigration custody after a judge ruled his detention unlawful and cited family hardship.

Ruben Torres-Maldonado, a Chicago father of two whose 16-year-old daughter is undergoing treatment for stage 4 cancer, has been granted a $2,000 bond and ordered released from immigration detention by a federal judge. The judge ruled his detention unlawful and allowed him to apply for cancellation of removal, citing severe hardship to his family if he were deported. Despite being labeled a “criminal illegal alien” by DHS due to past traffic violations, the judge found no threat to public safety, noting strong family ties, legal representation, and valid license and insurance. His release is expected imminently, following national scrutiny of the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement operation in Chicago.