Parents of Dying Chicago Teen Held by Federal Authorities, Family Fights to Honor His Wish

An 18-year-old Chicago native with terminal colon cancer says his last wish, to see his parents one more time, is slipping away after federal immigration agents detained them at a facility in Arizona. Doctors at the University of Chicago and relatives have sent formal pleas to immigration officials as the teen's condition quickly worsens.

Hospital plea and the boy's last request

Kevin González, who was born in Chicago and has been diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer, is reportedly down to days. Physicians at the University of Chicago have written letters asking that his parents be allowed to be at his bedside. As reported by NBC Chicago, Kevin wrote, "I ask that [immigration authorities] help me fulfill my last wish, if possible." Hospital staff and family attorneys say the letters were submitted as part of a humanitarian appeal to immigration officials.

Parents detained after visa denials

Relatives told reporters the parents had applied for humanitarian visas and were denied. After that, they crossed the border and were taken into custody at an Arizona detention center. Telemundo reports that family members in Mexico say the parents went to the bridge to beg and plead, saying they were not criminals and only wanted to see their son. Family advocates say Immigration and Customs Enforcement is reviewing the case.

How the family is coping

Kevin's brother has been caring for him for months while he remains bedridden at his grandmother's house in Durango, Mexico. Relatives say medications have been brought from the United States to manage his symptoms. In reporting that detailed the family's requests, immigration attorney Salvador Cícero told NBC Chicago that "immigration processes are very slow," a reality that can make urgent family reunifications incredibly difficult. Local advocates say they are coordinating with attorneys to press for expedited review.

What the law allows

Federal agencies have discretionary tools, including humanitarian parole, that can allow noncitizens to enter the United States for urgent reasons, but those requests are evaluated case by case and are not guaranteed. USCIS explains that parole is temporary and considered on an individual basis, which means medical emergencies do not automatically speed approval. Lawyers familiar with consular processing say security checks, paperwork and interagency signoffs can keep families apart even when hospital staff is pushing hard for exceptions.

Advocates and relatives say they hope officials will use that discretion in light of Kevin's prognosis, and reporting indicates Immigration and Customs Enforcement is gathering information about the family's situation. As Telemundo notes, relatives in Mexico have appealed publicly as the teen's condition worsens. The family says its immediate priority is simple, a chance to be together before it is too late.