A terminally ill 18-year-old from Chicago is seeking a final reunion with his parents, who are being held in U.S. immigration custody in Arizona, family members and officials said this week.

Kevin Gonzalez, a U.S. citizen receiving end-of-life care in Durango, has stage four colon cancer and has asked authorities to allow his parents’ release so he can see them before he dies.

His parents were detained earlier this year after attempting to reenter the United States without authorization, according to federal officials. Their prior visa applications had been denied due to earlier immigration violations.

The family said they sought humanitarian consideration following Kevin’s diagnosis, but their request was not approved. His condition has since worsened, with the cancer spreading to multiple organs, and doctors have shifted to palliative care.

Kevin had lived in Chicago with relatives after his parents were deported in 2011, the family said. His mother briefly returned to the United States in 2024 before being deported again.

The case has drawn attention from the Mexican consulate and U.S. lawmakers, who have urged authorities to weigh humanitarian factors. The parents are scheduled to appear before an immigration judge in Arizona on Thursday.

Officials said the outcome could determine whether the parents are deported and allowed to reunite with their son in Mexico, or remain in custody pending further proceedings.

Kevin’s request remains under review as his condition continues to deteriorate, relatives said.