ICE Denies Father's Release from Custody for Son's Funeral
The family of Wael Tarabishi, who passed away last Friday at age 30 from Pompe disease, was denied their request for his father, Maher Tarabishi, to be temporarily released from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody. The request was made to allow him to attend Wael's funeral in Joshua, Texas.
Maher Tarabishi had been Wael's primary caretaker throughout his life, providing 24-hour specialized care. Attorney Ali Elhorr stated the decision reflected a "lack of humanity."
Attorney Ali Elhorr stated the decision reflected a "lack of humanity."
Detention and Denied Requests
Maher Tarabishi was detained three months prior during a routine immigration check-in in Dallas. The family had previously sought his release to continue caring for Wael, and later, to allow him to say goodbye in person.
It is worth noting that ICE detention standards allow for escorted trips for detainees to visit critically ill family members or attend funerals.
Wael's Health Deteriorates
Following Maher's detention, Wael's health deteriorated significantly. He was hospitalized twice in the weeks after, once for sepsis and pneumonia, and again for a stomach infection. He remained in the ICU and died on January 23.
A request for Maher to visit Wael in the hospital before his death was also denied. Family members indicated Wael's health decline was influenced by the emotional toll of his father's absence.
Maher Tarabishi's Immigration History
Maher Tarabishi arrived in the United States in 1994 from Kuwait. He stopped working as an IT engineer in 2019 to care for Wael full-time.
An immigration court ordered Maher's removal in 2006. However, he was permitted to remain in the U.S. as Wael's caretaker, subject to annual ICE check-ins. Elhorr has since filed a motion to reopen Maher's case, citing concerns about the lawyer who handled Maher's original asylum application.
Official Statement and Family Denial
A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson stated that Maher Tarabishi had been allowed to remain in the U.S. illegally for nearly 20 years despite a removal order. The spokesperson also referred to him as a "self-admitted member" of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO). The family denies Maher's affiliation with the PLO.