The family of a disabled Texas man who passed away in intensive care is levelling serious accusations against United States immigration authorities, claiming their actions directly led to his death. They allege that by separating him from his full-time caregiver and refusing to release his detained father, even as he lay dying, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) bears responsibility for the tragic outcome.
A Life of Dependence and Devoted Care
Wael Tarabishi, a US citizen living with advanced Pompe disease, died on Friday at Methodist Mansfield Medical Center, located south of Dallas. His death came just weeks after his father, Maher Tarabishi, aged 62, was taken into ICE custody during what the family describes as a routine immigration check-in on October 28. Maher had served as Wael's primary caregiver for more than three decades, intimately managing his ventilator, feeding tubes, medications, and all daily medical necessities.
Rapid Health Decline Following Separation
Since Maher's arrest and subsequent detention at the Bluebonnet Detention Center in Anson, Texas, the family reports that Wael's health deteriorated alarmingly fast. 'I blame ICE,' stated Maher's daughter-in-law, Shahd Arnaout, in an interview with the Fort Worth Star Telegram. 'Maybe they did not kill Wael with a bullet, but they killed him when they took his father away.' Wael, who could not move or breathe independently due to the rare genetic disorder that causes progressive muscle failure, was hospitalized twice following his father's removal.
In November, he required treatment for sepsis and pneumonia. By late December, he was readmitted to the intensive care unit after a stomach infection caused his feeding tube to leak. This final hospitalization lasted thirty days and concluded with Wael's passing on Friday afternoon. 'Wael is a US citizen, and he was asking for his dad to be next to him while he's dying,' Arnaout explained poignantly. 'His country failed him.'
Specialised Care and a Plea Ignored
Medical professionals had reportedly warned the family that Wael required highly specialised care, and that Maher was the sole individual who fully comprehended his complex medical needs. Diagnosed with Pompe disease at just four years old, Wael was not expected to live beyond the age of ten, yet he survived for over thirty years under his father's constant, dedicated care.
In Wael's final hours, as his organs began to fail, the family made the difficult decision to sign a 'do not resuscitate' order. They simultaneously issued an emergency plea for Maher's temporary release so he could be with his son before death. This request was denied by authorities. Tragically, Maher learned of his son's death during a phone call from within detention. 'He couldn't handle it,' Arnaout told the newspaper.
Contested Detention and Legal Complexities
ICE has described Maher Tarabishi as a 'criminal alien' and has alleged affiliation with the Palestine Liberation Organization, a claim his family vehemently denies. Maher, a Jordanian national, entered the US in 1994, overstayed a tourist visa, and later applied for asylum. His family asserts he has consistently complied with immigration requirements, including regular check-ins.
In a significant development, Maher's attorney filed a motion to reopen his asylum case on Friday after discovering that his former lawyer had been practicing without a valid licence. Advocates suggest that with proper legal representation, Maher's detention might never have occurred. The family is now urgently requesting ICE release Maher so he can attend his son's funeral. In response, ICE stated it had 'NOT received a formal request from anyone to attend funeral services' and that such release requests are considered individually.
Public Outcry and Political Scrutiny
The case has ignited widespread public attention and scrutiny of immigration detention policies. In December, family members and community activists gathered outside the hospital, appealing directly to President Donald Trump for Maher's release. A prepared statement from Wael, read by a cousin, said: 'He is the one who knows my body when it is about to fail. He is the one who keeps me alive when I'm at my weakest.'
Attention surged further when pop star Billie Eilish shared the story on her social media platforms, amplifying calls for Maher's release and drawing international focus to the situation. A family spokesperson called on Texas congressional representatives to act, stating: 'We call on every congressional representative that represents Texas to take action to the fullest extent of their capacity to ensure that Maher gets the opportunity to properly mourn his son and grieve with his family, as is his human right to do.'
As the family grieves, Maher Tarabishi remains in ICE custody, his future uncertain while they seek justice and the chance to lay their loved one to rest together.
