Disabled Son Dies After Father Detained by ICE

Maher Tarabishi was the full-time caregiver for his son Wael, who had a degenerative muscle condition.

Feb. 3, 2026 at 5:07pm

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Maher Tarabishi, a 62-year-old Jordanian national, was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in late October despite being the full-time caregiver for his 30-year-old son Wael, who had Pompe disease, a degenerative muscle condition. With his father suddenly gone, Wael's health rapidly declined, and he died in the hospital on January 23. ICE then declined to let Maher attend his son's funeral, despite the family's requests.

Why it matters

This case highlights the human impact of immigration enforcement decisions, as the detention of Wael's caregiver father led to the rapid decline and death of Wael, a U.S. citizen with a disability who relied on his father's full-time care. It raises questions about the priorities and policies of ICE when it comes to cases involving vulnerable individuals.

The details

Maher Tarabishi, a Jordanian national, had overstayed a 1994 tourist visa and been rejected for asylum, but ICE had allowed him to stay in the U.S. under supervision since 2008 because he was the full-time caregiver for his son Wael, a U.S. citizen with Pompe disease. However, in late October, Maher was detained after a routine check-in at an ICE office in Dallas, despite having no criminal history. With his father suddenly gone, Wael's health rapidly declined, and he underwent multiple surgeries as the family begged ICE to release Maher or at least facilitate regular contact. ICE declined these requests, and Wael died in the hospital on January 23. ICE then denied Maher's request to attend his son's funeral, despite the family's efforts to coordinate the logistics.

  • In 2008, ICE allowed Maher Tarabishi to stay in the U.S. under supervision as the full-time caregiver for his son Wael.
  • In late October, Maher was detained by ICE after a routine check-in at their Dallas office.
  • Wael died in the hospital on January 23, 2026.

The players

Maher Tarabishi

A 62-year-old Jordanian national who was the full-time caregiver for his son Wael, a U.S. citizen with Pompe disease, a degenerative muscle condition.

Wael Tarabishi

Maher's 30-year-old son, a U.S. citizen who had Pompe disease, a degenerative muscle condition, and relied on his father's full-time care.

Shahd Arnaout

Maher's daughter-in-law, who hopes the case draws wider attention to how immigration enforcement decisions can impact families.

Ali Elhorr

The family's attorney, who disputes ICE's claim that Maher is affiliated with the Palestine Liberation Organization.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)

The U.S. government agency that detained Maher Tarabishi, despite his role as the full-time caregiver for his disabled son.

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What they’re saying

“ICE is responsible for the death of Wael Tarabishi.”

— Shahd Arnaout, Maher's daughter-in-law (The Guardian)

“We have each other here. But [Maher is] alone there.”

— Shahd Arnaout, Maher's daughter-in-law (The Guardian)

What’s next

The family and their attorney are hoping the case draws wider attention to how immigration enforcement decisions can impact vulnerable families.

The takeaway

This tragic case highlights the human cost of rigid immigration policies, as the detention of a disabled person's sole caregiver led to the death of the disabled individual. It underscores the need for more compassionate and nuanced approaches to immigration enforcement, especially when vulnerable individuals are involved.