Disabled Texas man dies as father remains in ICE custody

Wael Tarabishi, who relied on his father Maher as his primary caregiver, passed away in the hospital after his father was detained by ICE.

Jan. 29, 2026 at 4:47pm

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A 30-year-old disabled man in North Texas, Wael Tarabishi, has died in the hospital while his father Maher, a Jordan national, remains in ICE custody. Wael suffered from a rare progressive muscle disorder and depended on Maher as his primary caretaker. ICE denied requests for Maher to attend his son's funeral, which is scheduled for today.

Why it matters

This case highlights the human impact of immigration enforcement actions, especially when they separate families and leave vulnerable individuals without their primary caregivers. It raises questions about ICE's policies and the potential consequences for those in their custody.

The details

Maher Tarabishi, a 62-year-old Jordan national, says he came to the U.S. legally in the 1990s and has been making annual check-ins with ICE. However, during his check-in in October 2025, he was detained by ICE, who claim he is a "criminal alien" and a member of a terrorist organization. Maher's family denies these allegations, saying he is simply "a father who has spent his whole life caring for his disabled son." Maher's adult son, Wael, suffered from Pompe disease, a rare muscle disorder, and relied on his father as his primary caregiver. Since Maher's detention, Wael was hospitalized twice, most recently on Christmas Eve for a problem with his feeding tube. Wael passed away at the hospital on January 23, 2026, without ever being reunited with his father.

  • Maher Tarabishi was detained by ICE on October 28, 2025 during his annual check-in.
  • Wael Tarabishi was hospitalized on Christmas Eve 2025 for a problem with his feeding tube.
  • Wael Tarabishi passed away at the hospital on January 23, 2026.

The players

Wael Tarabishi

A 30-year-old man in North Texas who suffered from a rare progressive muscle disorder called Pompe disease and relied on his father Maher as his primary caregiver.

Maher Tarabishi

A 62-year-old Jordan national who came to the U.S. legally in the 1990s and has been making annual check-ins with ICE. He was detained by ICE in October 2025 and remains in custody.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)

The federal law enforcement agency that detained Maher Tarabishi, claiming he is a "criminal alien" and member of a terrorist organization, despite his family's denials.

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What they’re saying

“Mentally, I have never been worse. My father was always my hero, my safe place. He did everything for me, 24 hours a day, and ICE took him for no reason.”

— Wael Tarabishi (Storyful)

“Up until Wael's last conscious moment, he continued thinking and talking about his father.”

— Tarabishi family (Press release)

What’s next

ICE has denied the Tarabishi family's request for Maher to attend his son Wael's funeral, which is scheduled for Thursday, January 29, 2026.

The takeaway

This tragic case highlights the human toll that can result from immigration enforcement actions, especially when they separate families and leave vulnerable individuals without their primary caregivers. It raises important questions about ICE's policies and procedures, and the potential consequences for those in their custody.