Tragic Death of Wael Tarabishi Amid Father's ICE Detention

Wael Tarabishi, a 30-year-old man with Pompe disease, died on January 23, 2026, in a Texas hospital after his primary caregiver and father, Maher Tarabishi, was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) during a routine check-in. Maher, a Jordanian national, had been living in the U.S. since 1994 under a supervised release order, primarily to care for Wael, who was a U.S. citizen. Following Maher's detention in late October, Wael's health rapidly declined, leading to multiple hospitalizations.

Disabled man dies as caretaker father remains in ICE custody in Dallas‘They killed him inside’: man who was son’s caretaker detained by ICE and denied final goodbyeDisabled man dies after his caretaker father was detained by ICE in Dallas

Maher Tarabishi first entered the United States on a tourist visa and later sought asylum, which was denied in 2006. Despite this, he was allowed to remain in the country as Wael's caregiver. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has labeled Maher a "criminal alien" and alleged ties to a terrorist organization, claims the Tarabishi family vehemently denies, asserting that Maher is simply a devoted father.

Disabled man dies as caretaker father remains in ICE custody in Dallas

Wael's condition worsened significantly after his father's arrest. He had been hospitalized twice, most recently on Christmas Eve due to complications with his intragastric feeding tube. In a video recorded before his death, Wael expressed his distress, stating, "Mentally, I have never been worse... ICE took him for no reason." His family believes the stress of his father's detention contributed to Wael's deteriorating health.

Disabled man dies as caretaker father remains in ICE custody in Dallas

After Wael's death, the Tarabishi family requested that ICE allow Maher to attend his son's funeral. Although initial discussions indicated that arrangements were being made for Maher to attend under supervision, the request was ultimately denied. ICE claimed that an official request had not been submitted, despite documentation suggesting otherwise. This decision has been met with outrage from the family and their attorney, Ali Elhorr, who criticized the handling of the situation.

‘They killed him inside’: man who was son’s caretaker detained by ICE and denied final goodbye

The Tarabishi family has publicly condemned ICE's actions, with Shahd Arnaout, Maher's daughter-in-law, stating, "ICE is responsible for the death of Wael Tarabishi." The family argues that Maher's detention has caused irreparable harm, and they have called for greater awareness of the impact of immigration policies on families. Prominent figures, including political commentator Robert Reich, have also criticized ICE for its perceived cruelty in this case.

Disabled man dies as caretaker father remains in ICE custody in Dallas

ICE has not provided a detailed explanation for the denial of Maher's request to attend Wael's funeral. A spokesperson stated that an official request had not been made, contradicting the family's claims. The DHS maintains that Maher should have been deported years ago, citing his alleged criminal status, which the family disputes.

Disabled man dies as caretaker father remains in ICE custody in Dallas

The Tarabishi family is currently facing significant financial burdens due to Wael's medical expenses and funeral costs. They have initiated a GoFundMe campaign to assist with these unexpected expenses, which has raised over $53,000 toward their $85,000 goal. The family continues to advocate for Maher's release and seeks to raise awareness about the broader implications of immigration enforcement on vulnerable families.

Disabled man dies after his caretaker father was detained by ICE in Dallas