Maher Tarabishi, a 62-year-old Jordanian man detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), is grappling with an unimaginable tragedy: the death of his son, Wael Tarabishi, who succumbed to complications from Pompe disease, a rare genetic disorder. Wael, who was 30 years old, died on January 23, 2026, after being hospitalized with severe health issues. He was dependent on Maher for care, and their bond was deeply intertwined.
Maher was arrested on October 28, 2025, during a routine immigration check-in and has since remained in custody at the Bluebonnet Detention Center in Texas. His family maintains that Maher, who entered the U.S. legally in the 1990s, had consistently checked in with ICE without issues until his abrupt detention.
In the months following his father's arrest, Wael's health rapidly declined. He had been hospitalized multiple times and expressed distress in a video prior to his death, stating, "Mentally, I have never been worse... ICE took him for no reason." He was unable to eat or move independently, underscoring the crucial role his father played in his daily life.
The family requested that ICE permit Maher to attend Wael's funeral on January 29, 2026, but their plea was denied. This refusal has intensified feelings of heartbreak and outrage, with relatives asserting that the stress of Maher’s detention directly affected Wael’s health and well-being.
Shahd Arnaout, Wael's daughter-in-law, described the situation as heart-wrenching, stating, “Maher was his caregiver, his father, his best friend, his everything.” The family believes that Maher's arrest contributed significantly to Wael's decline, leaving them to cope with grief without the ability to say goodbye.
As the community grapples with this tragic situation, it highlights broader issues concerning immigration policies and the human impact of enforcement actions. The Tarabishi family continues to advocate for Maher's release, emphasizing the critical role he played in Wael’s life and the devastating consequences of his detention.