At a Glance
- ICE denied Maher Tarabishi’s request to leave detention for his son’s funeral.
- Tarabishi was detained on Oct. 28, 2025 during a scheduled check-in at the Bluebonnet Detention Center in Anson, Texas.
- The family says the stress of his detention contributed to the death of 30-year-old Wael Tarabishi from complications related to Pompe disease.
Why it matters: The case underscores the clash between immigration enforcement and family caregiving responsibilities.
Maher Tarabishi, 62, was detained by ICE on Oct. 28, 2025 during a routine check-in at a Dallas facility. He had been the primary caretaker for his son, Wael, who died on Jan. 23 from complications of Pompe disease. The family requested his release to attend the funeral, but ICE denied the request on Jan. 27.
Detention and Denial
Maher was held at the Bluebonnet Detention Center in Anson, Texas, after missing a scheduled check-in. According to his attorney, Ali Elhorr, the detention occurred during a routine ICE visit that the family had always complied with. “Maher had sought a humanitarian release to attend Wael’s funeral,” said Elhorr. The request was denied on Tuesday, Jan. 27, leaving Maher in custody on the day of the funeral.
ICE officials said the denial was based on standard procedures, but the family claims the decision ignored the urgent circumstances. Sources told News Of Los Angeles that the detention center had no record of a prior release request for a funeral.
Family Background and Wael’s Illness
Maher and his wife immigrated from Jordan in 1994. After Wael’s diagnosis with Pompe disease, a rare genetic disorder that causes muscle weakness, Maher became the son’s primary caregiver. Wael’s daughter-in-law, Shahd Arnaout, 25, explained the daily demands: “Wael required round-the-clock care, and several family members have tended to him in my father’s absence.”
A timeline of Wael’s decline shows the severity of his condition:
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Nov. 20, 2025 | Wael developed a high fever and was hospitalized; diagnosed with sepsis and bilateral pneumonia. |
| Dec. 2025 | Readmitted after his feeding tube dislodged; spent an additional week in the hospital. |
| Jan. 23, 2026 | Wael died from complications related to Pompe disease. |
The family believes the stress of Maher’s detention contributed to Wael’s decline. “They may not kill Wael with a bullet, but they killed him inside by taking the only person he asked for,” Arnaout said.
Legal and Political Context
Maher entered the United States lawfully with a visa. In 2006, his asylum application was denied, and a deportation order was issued. However, after Wael’s official diagnosis, Maher was allowed to remain in the U.S. to care for his son, according to Elhorr. “He had check-ins with ICE every year,” Elhorr added. “Never missed a single one. Was never late to one.”
In a statement to an NBC outlet in November, ICE and the Department of Homeland Security accused Maher of belonging to the Palestine Liberation Organization, a group designated as a terrorist organization by the United States. Maher’s family and attorney deny any ties to terrorist groups and claim he has never committed a crime.
ICE and DHS did not immediately reply to requests for comment about the case. The family has launched a GoFundMe campaign to support Maher’s legal defense and the costs associated with his son’s funeral.
Current Status and Next Steps
Maher remains in detention at the Bluebonnet Detention Center. His funeral is slated for Thursday, and the family hopes he can attend. The GoFundMe campaign has raised $15,000 to date, but the legal fees are expected to exceed $50,000. The family is seeking a court order to compel ICE to release Maher for the funeral.
The case has drawn attention to the broader issue of immigration detainees who serve as caregivers for family members with serious health conditions. Advocates argue that humanitarian release should be considered in such circumstances, citing the potential impact on patient health and family well-being.
The outcome of Maher’s release request will be closely watched by both immigration advocates and policymakers, as it may set a precedent for future cases involving family caregiving responsibilities.
