In a heart-wrenching case that underscores the potential human cost of stringent immigration policies, the family of Wael Tarabishi, a disabled man from Texas, has expressed profound grief and anger following his death on January 23. They attribute his “devastating and unimaginable” passing to the stress of his father, Maher Tarabishi, being detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). This incident has ignited a broader conversation about the implications of immigration enforcement on vulnerable individuals and families.
Family’s Heartbreak and Blame
Wael Tarabishi’s family has stated unequivocally that the emotional toll from his father’s arrest significantly contributed to his declining health. Wael, who suffered from Advanced Pompe Disease, had relied on Maher Tarabishi as his primary caregiver for his entire life. “After a long and hard battle… Wael’s body could no longer handle the stress,” they shared in a GoFundMe update. Shahd Arnaout, Wael’s sister-in-law, echoed their sentiments, asserting, “Maybe they did not kill Wael with a bullet, but they killed him when they took his father away.”
The emotional impact of Maher’s detention was palpable. In a video recorded from his hospital bed, Wael expressed his despair, saying, “Mentally, I have never been worse. My father was always my hero, my safe place. He did everything for me, 24 hours a day, and ICE took him for no reason.”
The Detention of Maher Tarabishi
Maher Tarabishi, a 62-year-old Jordanian national, initially arrived in the United States on a tourist visa in 1994. Despite having his asylum request denied in the past, he was allowed to remain under a supervision order due to his caregiving role for Wael, a U.S. citizen. However, during a routine check-in with immigration officials on October 28, 2025, Maher was detained based on allegations of being a “criminal alien.” The Department of Homeland Security also labelled him as an “admitted member of a foreign terrorist organization,” claims the Tarabishi family vehemently disputes.
“This is a father who has spent his whole life caring for his disabled son,” they insisted, dismissing the government’s characterisation of Maher as inaccurate. The repercussions of his arrest were swift and severe, with Wael experiencing significant health declines, culminating in hospitalisation on Christmas Eve due to complications related to his feeding tube.
A Final Farewell Denied
Tragically, Maher was unable to attend his son’s funeral, a situation that has drawn widespread outrage. “Wael is a US citizen, and he was asking for his dad to be next to him while he’s dying,” Arnaout lamented. This denial of a father’s presence during such a critical time further highlights the emotional toll of immigration enforcement on families. Political commentator Robert Reich condemned the actions of immigration officials, characterising them as “unimaginable cruelty.”
As the Tarabishi family grapples with their loss, they now face significant financial challenges. A GoFundMe campaign aimed at covering unexpected expenses has raised over $53,000 towards a goal of $85,000. The funds are intended to assist with rent, transportation, and basic living necessities during this trying period.
Why it Matters
The tragic case of Wael Tarabishi serves as a stark reminder of the human consequences wrought by rigid immigration policies. It spotlights the fragility of family structures when faced with governmental actions and raises critical questions about the ethical dimensions of immigration enforcement. As communities come together to support the Tarabishi family, this incident calls for a broader reassessment of policies that can lead to such devastating outcomes, urging us to consider the very real human lives affected by bureaucratic decisions.
