A teen battling terminal cancer has died, just one day after being reunited with his parents in Durango, Mexico, following their release from U.S. immigration custody.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Subscribe to read this story ad-free <\/p>\n
Get unlimited access to ad-free articles and exclusive content.<\/p>\n
![\"arrow\"](\"https:\/\/media-cldnry.s-nbcnews.com\/image\/upload\/rockcms\/2026-01\/arrow-f55fa5.svg\"){kind=icon}
<\/p>\n
Kevin Gonzalez\u2019s aunt and brother confirmed his death to NBC Chicago\/Telemundo Chicago late Sunday afternoon.<\/p>\n
![\"Kevin](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/260507-Kevin-Gonzalez-ch-1123-893acf.jpg\")
Kevin Gonz\u00e1lez was able to hug his parents again in Durango, Mexico; the 18-year-old died surrounded by his family.Telemundo<\/p>\n
Earlier this week, an immigration judge had ordered the expedited release of Gonzalez\u2019s parents<\/a> so they could reunite with him in Mexico.<\/p>\n Kevin, an 18-year-old U.S. citizen, was born in Chicago but had been living in Mexico with his parents, Isidoro Gonz\u00e1lez Avil\u00e9s and Norma Anabel Ram\u00edrez Amaya, who had been deported years back. Kevin was diagnosed with colon cancer earlier this year in Chicago, where he had gone to get checked for ongoing stomach ailments. The cancer had spread to his stomach and lungs, and doctors said treatment was no longer viable. The physicians had recommended he receive comfort care at home until the end of his life.<\/p>\n Following his diagnosis, Kevin\u2019s parents had attempted to cross the border to see him in Chicago, but they were taken into custody by ICE agents and were put in immigration detention in Arizona.<\/p>\n While his parents were detained, Kevin flew back to Mexico and was in the care of his grandmother. Last week, Kevin had issued a public plea<\/a> for his parents to be released from custody so they could be by his side.<\/p>\n On Saturday, Kevin was able to reunite with his parents in an emotional reunion, embracing his mother in a hug that resembled the finish line.<\/p>\n It was the culmination of months of prayer, a relentless effort and a community\u2019s push to bring the family back together.<\/p>\n Through it all, Kevin never gave up. He held on to his final wish, and Kevin woke up to his parents\u2019 touch and care on Sunday. The 18-year-old spent his final moments surrounded by his family and friends, knowing his story touched millions who were all rooting for him to get what he had longed for.<\/p>\n He died Sunday afternoon, with his parents by his side. <\/p>\n \u201cI didn\u2019t imagine seeing him so thin, the way he is,\u201d his tearful mom said in an interview with Noticias Telemundo. <\/p>\n \u201cI knelt on his feet, I told him I was sorry if I ever disappointed him as a father and that I loved him,\u201d Kevin\u2019s tearful father said. <\/p>\n \u201cI think the suffering he\u2019s gone through, he doesn\u2019t deserve it,\u201d he said as he wept. <\/p>\n The Mexican consulate and multiple lawmakers advocated for the family\u2019s reunion. On a Thursday court hearing, a federal judge was moved by the father\u2019s plea <\/a>and ordered the parents\u2019 release the following day, when they initiated the trip home to Durango.<\/p>\n According to the Department of Homeland Security, Kevin\u2019s mother attempted to re-enter the U.S. on two separate occasions before being caught. The most recent attempt was earlier this year, along with Kevin\u2019s father.<\/p>\n![\"Kevin](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/260511-kevin-gonzalez-mn-1140-f729ff.jpg\")
Kevin Gonzalez is reunited with his parents in Durango, Mexico, following their release from U.S. immigration custody.via NBC Chicago<\/p>\n![\"Kevin](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/260511-kevin-gonzalez-mn-1200-4be114.jpg\")
Kevin Gonzalez with his parents before he was diagnosed.via NBC Chicago<\/p>\n