The family of a disabled US citizen who died last month believes the stress of his father's detention by immigration authorities contributed to his death. Wael Tarabishi, who suffered from advanced Pompe disease, died on 23 January after a rapid decline in health following the arrest of his primary caregiver, Maher Tarabishi.
Maher Tarabishi, a 62-year-old Jordanian national, was taken into custody by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on 28 October during a routine check-in. The Department of Homeland Security described him as an 'admitted member of a foreign terrorist organization', a claim his family denies. He had previously been allowed to stay in the US on a supervision order as his son's carer.
Wael, who relied on his father for round-the-clock care, was hospitalised twice after the detention. In a video from hospital, he said: 'Mentally, I have never been worse. My father was always my hero, my safe place.' His condition deteriorated further when his feeding tube failed, and he died on 23 January.
His father was denied permission to attend the funeral. Sister-in-law Shahd Arnaout told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram: 'I blame ICE. Maybe they did not kill Wael with a bullet, but they killed him when they took his father away.' The family has launched a GoFundMe appeal, raising $53,000 of an $85,000 target to cover funeral and living costs.
