Wael Tarabishi: Disabled man, 30, dies after caregiver dad is detained by ICE

The family of disabled man Wael Tarabishi has issued a heartbreaking plea after the 30-year-old died following the detention of his father in October.

Wael died on January 23 from complications related to Pompe disease, a rare genetic condition which causes progressive muscle weakness.

He was taken to the Mansfield Methodist Medical Centre for a stomach infection, where he spent a month in ICU before tragically succumbing to his illness.

His father, Maher Tarabishi, was his primary caregiver and had dedicated his life to caring for his son.

However, things change on October 28, 2025, when Maher was detained by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement during a scheduled annual check-in at the ICE Field office in Dallas, Texas.

Maher, who migrated to the US from Jordan in 1994, was taken into custody at the Blubonnet Detention Facility in Anson, around 320km west of Dallas, where he currently remains.

Within a matter of weeks after Maher’s detention, Wael’s health declined drastically.

In a GoFundMe page set up to cover medical costs and basic living needs, the Tarabishi family said, “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.

“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.”

The family said that the GoFundMe is to “support the family in staying afloat during this very difficult time”, and donations will go towards rent, transportation costs, and basic living needs.

After Wael’s death, the Tarabishi family took to social media to ask for the humanitarian release of Maher so he could attend his son’s funeral, however, ICE denied the request on January 27.

Wael’s sister in law, Shahd Arnaout, said in a social media post that ICE is responsible for Wael’s death.

“Wael couldn’t understand why they took Maher away, why they kidnapped him,” she said. “He couldn’t handle that his father - the person who made him feel safe, the person who knew everything about him was no longer there.

“ICE didn’t kill Wael with a bullet; they killed him from the inside.”

Maher’s attorney, Ali Elhorr, told People that Maher had entered the US legally with a visa in 1994.

In 2006, Maher’s asylum application was denied and a deportation order was issued, but because his son, a US citizen, relied on him for care, he was allowed to remain in the US.

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

According to the Tarabishi family, Wael’s last words were: “Let me see my father before it’s too late. Let me hold his hand. Let me look at him one last time. Please.”