Disabled man dies after his primary caregiver is detained by ICE

In late October 2025, Maher Tarabashi was detained during a scheduled check-in at an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in Dallas, Texas, according to his family and attorney.

Before this, the 62-year-old had been the primary caregiver for his 30-year-old son, Wael Tarabashi. He was unable to breathe, eat or move on his own, and his father helped provide his round-the-clock care. But weeks after Maher was detained, Wael became sick and unfortunately died as a result on 23 January.

And now ICE has reportedly denied the man’s request to be allowed to attend his son’s funeral tomorrow. Maher currently remains in detention at the Bluebonnet Detention Centre in Anson, Texas. His family are currently raising money to help with his legal defence and to cover other costs.

Wael battled Advanced Pompe Disease, a genetic condition that causes severe muscle weakness and wasting. (GoFundMe)

Maher arrived in the US from Jordan in 1994, but in 2006, his asylum application was denied and a deportation order was issued, his attorney, Ali Elhorr told PEOPLE.

However, as his son (a US citizen) was dependent on him, he was reportedly allowed to remain under a supervision order to care for Wael.

“He had check-ins with ICE every year," Elhorr said. "Never missed a single one. Was never late to one."

Weeks after his detainment, Maher’s son, who suffered from Pompe disease, developed a high fever and was taken to the hospital. His family say he was diagnosed with sepsis and pneumonia and spent a week there.

Then, a readmission in December saw him spend a month or so in the ICU before he passed away. And his family believe the stress of his father’s detainment contributed to his poor health.

“After a long and hard battle with Advanced Pompe Disease, and in light of months of suffering due to the kidnapping of his father by ICE, Wael’s body could no longer handle the stress,” they wrote on a GoFundMe page.

Maher was his son's primary caregiver. (GoFundMe)

“We have said before that Maher’s daily presence in Wael’s life was not optional; rather, it was essential to his survival and well-being.”

Elhorr said Maher had sought a humanitarian release to attend his son’s funeral on Thursday but the request was denied yesterday.

The man’s daughter-in-law added to PEOPLE: “They may not kill Wael with a bullet, but they killed him inside by taking the only person he asked for.

"Maher was his caregiver, his father, his best friend, his everything."

LADbible Group contacted ICE’s press office for comment.