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Disabled Man Dies Weeks After His Primary Caregiver Father Is Detained By ICE

thuyhangeditor05 mins
The family believes the emotional toll of the detention played a major role in his sudden decline
In late October 2025, Maher Tarabashi was detained during a routine check-in at an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in Dallas, Texas, according to his family and his attorney.Before his detention, the 62-year-old was the full-time caregiver for his 30-year-old son, Wael Tarabashi. Wael was unable to breathe, eat, or move on his own and relied on his father for constant care throughout the day and night. In the weeks following Maher’s detention, Wael’s health began to decline, and he tragically passed away on January 23.

ICE has since denied Maher’s request to attend his son’s funeral. He remains in detention at the Bluebonnet Detention Center in Anson, Texas, while his family raises funds to cover legal costs and other expenses related to his case.

Wael battled Advanced Pompe Disease, a genetic condition that causes severe muscle weakness and wasting.GoFundMe

 

 

Maher first arrived in the United States from Jordan in 1994. His asylum application was denied in 2006, and a deportation order was issued, his attorney Ali Elhorr told PEOPLE.Because Wael, a US citizen, depended entirely on his father for daily care, Maher was reportedly allowed to remain in the country under a supervision order so he could continue looking after his son.

“He had check-ins with ICE every year,” Elhorr said. “Never missed a single one. Was never late to one.”

Several weeks after Maher’s detention, Wael, who lived with advanced Pompe disease, developed a high fever and was taken to the hospital. His family said he was diagnosed with sepsis and pneumonia and spent about a week receiving treatment.He was readmitted in December and remained in intensive care for roughly a month before he died. His family believes the emotional stress caused by his father’s detention played a major role in his rapid decline.

“After a long and hard battle with Advanced Pompe Disease, and in light of months of suffering due to the kidnapping of his father by ICE, Wael’s body could no longer handle the stress,” they wrote on a GoFundMe page.

Maher was his son’s primary caregiver.GoFundMe
“We have said before that Maher’s daily presence in Wael’s life was not optional; rather, it was essential to his survival and well-being.”Elhorr said Maher requested a humanitarian release so he could attend his son’s funeral on Thursday, but ICE denied the request the day before the service.

Wael’s sister-in-law also spoke to PEOPLE, saying: “They may not kill Wael with a bullet, but they killed him inside by taking the only person he asked for.”

 

 

“Maher was his caregiver, his father, his best friend, his everything.”

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