ICE Detainee Denied Seeing Dying Son; Everyone is Saying This Could Be the Last Straw

A father detained by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has been refused permission to attend the funeral of his son, who died while his father was in custody. Maher Tarabishi, a Jordanian national who has lived in the United States for decades, was the primary caregiver for his son, Wael.

The family and their legal team report that they pleaded with federal authorities for months to release Maher as Wael's health failed, but these requests were denied. The refusal to allow Maher to attend the funeral has sparked significant outrage regarding the treatment of detainees with no criminal record.

Father Detained During Routine Check-In at Dallas Office

Maher Tarabishi arrived in the US in 1994 on a tourist visa and later sought asylum. Although his asylum claim was denied in 2006, he was permitted to remain in the country under an order of supervision. For years, he checked in with immigration officials without incident. However, in late October, everything changed. During a routine visit to an ICE field office in Dallas, agents detained him.

This detention was particularly devastating because of Maher's role in his family. He was described as his son's 'everything,' acting as his case manager, equipment specialist, and doctor. Wael suffered from a serious medical condition that required constant, specialised care. According to the family, Maher was the only person who fully understood the intricacies of Wael's needs. When Maher was taken into custody, that care system collapsed.

Rapid Health Decline Leading to Tragic Death

Following Maher's detention, Wael's condition deteriorated rapidly. Without his father's daily assistance, Wael faced repeated hospitalisations and underwent multiple surgeries. During this period, the Tarabishi family begged the federal government to either release Maher or allow him to communicate with his son. They report that every request was either ignored or denied.

On 23 January, Wael died in hospital. Maher was not there to say goodbye. The family has expressed deep anger at the agency's handling of the situation. Shahd Arnaout, Maher's daughter-in-law, holds the agency directly accountable. She stated, 'ICE is responsible for the death of Wael Tarabishi. They may not have killed him with a bullet, but they killed him inside. They killed him mentally.'

Public Outrage Mounts on Social Media Platforms

The news of Wael's death and Maher's denied request has caused a wave of anger on social media platforms like Reddit. Users have criticised the agency for what they view as cruelty. One user commented that 'ICE is responsible for Wael Tarabishi's death', noting that while he had health issues, he was alive for years under his father's care. Another user argued that these actions do not make the country safer, stating, 'Detaining Wael's father did not make me safer. Not letting him talk to his own son or attend his funeral did not make me safer.'

The sentiment online reflects a growing frustration, with some users warning that such treatment of families creates deep resentment. As the Tarabishi family prepares for the funeral, they hope their story will force the public to look closely at the reality of the immigration detention system.

Conflicting Reports Over Funeral Attendance Request

After Wael's death, the family's solicitor, Ali Elhorr, urgently requested that ICE allow Maher to attend the funeral under guard. Elhorr provided text messages and voicemail transcripts showing that logistical arrangements were being discussed with officers. He noted that preliminary steps were taken, such as moving Maher to a detention centre closer to the family. However, a final decision came from 'higher up' denying the request.

When contacted by the press, an ICE spokesperson claimed that no official request had been made. This contradicts the documentation held by Elhorr, which suggests discussions were active as early as Monday morning. The agency did not respond to further questions regarding why the request was ultimately blocked.