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.
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.”
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.
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.”
