Family Says ICE Prevented Disabled US Citizen's Father from Attending Funeral

Maher Tarabishi was denied permission to attend his son Wael's funeral while detained by ICE.

Feb. 3, 2026 at 4:07pm

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The family of Wael Tarabishi, a 30-year-old U.S. citizen who died from Advanced Pompe Disease, says his father Maher Tarabishi was prevented by ICE from attending his son's funeral. Maher, a Jordanian native who overstayed a tourist visa in 1994, had been allowed to remain in the U.S. legally to care for Wael, but was detained by ICE in October 2025. Despite pleas from the family, ICE denied Maher permission to attend Wael's funeral, which the family says was Wael's final wish.

Why it matters

This case highlights the complex and often heartbreaking situations that can arise when immigration enforcement clashes with family obligations and the needs of disabled individuals. It raises questions about the discretion given to ICE in such sensitive cases and whether the agency's actions were justified or overly harsh.

The details

Maher Tarabishi, Wael's father, had been allowed to remain in the U.S. legally since 2008 to care for his severely disabled son. However, Maher was detained by ICE in October 2025 after presenting himself at a Dallas field office. Despite pleas from the family, ICE denied Maher permission to attend Wael's funeral, stating he was a member of a terrorist organization, a claim the family denies.

  • Maher Tarabishi was detained by ICE in October 2025.
  • Wael Tarabishi passed away on January 23, 2026.
  • Wael's funeral was held on Thursday, January 26, 2026.

The players

Wael Tarabishi

A 30-year-old U.S. citizen who suffered from Advanced Pompe Disease and passed away on January 23, 2026.

Maher Tarabishi

Wael's father, a Jordanian native who overstayed a tourist visa in 1994 but was allowed to remain in the U.S. legally to care for his disabled son.

Shahd Arnaout

Maher's daughter-in-law, who has been a vocal advocate for the family.

Ali Elhorr

The attorney representing Maher Tarabishi at Aspire Immigration Law, PLLC.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)

The federal agency that detained Maher Tarabishi and denied him permission to attend his son's funeral.

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What they’re saying

“America speaks of freedom and family values yet it stole Maher from his dying son. A funeral without Maher!!!!! This is a human rights crime.”

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

“We were in communication with multiple ICE officers who had shown the willingness to facilitate Maher's supervised release to attend Wael's burial ... Initial steps in the process had already begun when I received a call from the ICE officer with whom I had been in contact. The officer informed me that his director stepped in and told him that Maher would not be allowed to attend Wael's burial. This was the final decision.”

— Ali Elhorr, Attorney for Maher Tarabishi (Press release)

What’s next

The family and their supporters plan to continue advocating for Maher's release and the chance to attend his son's funeral, potentially through legal action.

The takeaway

This heartbreaking case highlights the human toll that can result when immigration enforcement and family obligations collide. It raises serious questions about the discretion and decision-making of ICE in such sensitive situations, and whether the agency's actions were justified or overly harsh.