US government prevents father from seeing his disabled son
What is the news about Wael and Maher Tarabishi?
Wael Tarabishi, who had lived since infancy with a rare form of muscular dystrophy known as Pompe disease, died 23 January 2026 in a hospital in Dallas (TX, US). News organizations around Earth reported stories about Mr. Tarabishi, because his father who was his primary care giver has been detained since October 2025 by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement and was not released to attend the younger Mr. Tarabishi’s funeral.
The following video shows the younger Mr. Tarabishi imploring the US government to release his father, Maher Tarabishi. The Tarabishi family posted the video to Instagram 12 December 2025. To hear the audio, click through to Instagram.
The following news reports include answers to some questions that readers might have (e.g., Why was Maher Tarabishi being held? Are the men US citizens? What wouldn’t ICE permit Maher Tarabishi to attend his son’s funeral?).
Sarah Bahari, for the Dallas Morning News
25 January 2026: Disabled son of Arlington man arrested by ICE dies from rare disease: Maher Tarabishi’s family is pleading for his release so he can attend his son’s funeral.
29 January 2026: An Arlington father was arrested by ICE. Now his son will be buried without him: Wael Tarabishi’s family will gather for his funeral. His father will not be there.
Nickel Terry Ellis, for CNN, 29 January 2026: A Texas man detained by ICE was his disabled son’s sole caregiver. His son will be laid to rest without him.
Diana Rivero, for Heraldo USA, 29 January 2026: Father Loses Disabled Son, ICE Blocks Farewell at Funeral: The Tarabishi family reported that immigration authorities refused to temporarily release their father and primary caregiver, despite ICE’s policies allowing humanitarian permits for funerals.
Joseph Stepansky, for Al Jazeera, 29 January 2026: ‘Wael’s last wish’: ICE denies release of Texas man for son’s funeral: Maher Tarabishi’s ailing son Wael died as he sat in a detention facility. His family says ICE is responsible.
Ava Marin, for The Nightly, 29 January 2026: Wael Tarabishi: Disabled man, 30, dies after caregiver dad is detained by ICE.
Julia Banim, for Daily Mirror, 28 January 2026: Disabled man, 30, dies alone after his solo caregiver dad is detained by ICE: Wael Tarabishi, a 30-year-old man with a rare condition, has sadly passed away mere weeks after ‘his beloved father, primary caregiver and constant life companion’ Maher Tarabishi was taken into ICE custody.
Emma Ruby, 27 January 2026, for the Dallas Observer: ‘ICE Killed Him’: Arlington Family Asks ICE to Release Detained Father for Son’s Funeral: Maher Tarabishi was detained by ICE in October, a traumatic event that his family believes affected the health of his disabled son.
Janelle Griffith, for People, 27 January 2026: ICE Denies Detainee’s Request to Attend His Son’s Funeral, Attorney Says: Maher Tarabishi was the primary caretaker of his son, Wael Tarabishi, 30, who died on Friday, Jan. 23, from complications related to Pompe disease.
Wikipedia published an entry entitled “Death of Wael Tarabishi” that is likely to be updated as more about this story emerges.
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