A father's love was tested when his son, Wael, a 30-year-old man suffering from a rare metabolic disease, passed away due to the neglect of his immigration detention center. Maher Tarabishi, Wael's primary caregiver and the father, had been held at the Bluebonnet Detention Center in Texas for three months, despite having a case reopened by his attorney Ali Elhorr.
Tarabishi was expecting an update on his son's health when he received the devastating news of Wael's death. He broke down, saying "He wouldn’t die without me. There is no way he died without waiting for me." The father felt utterly destroyed and relied on his attorney to secure a release so that he could attend Wael's funeral.
ICE officials initially seemed willing to allow Tarabishi to attend the funeral, discussing possible conditions under which it would be allowed. However, their stance changed when their director stepped in, refusing permission for Maher Tarabishi to attend his son’s burial.
According to automated transcripts and text messages obtained by The Intercept, detention center officials were working with Elhorr to arrange for Tarabishi to attend the funeral. Despite this, ICE management denied the request, stating that it was not a formal request from anyone to attend the funeral services.
Tarabishi had been held in detention since October after being arrested during an ICE check-in. He applied for asylum but was denied and then released for his regular check-ins. However, reports of people being arrested at these check-ins became widespread last year, prompting concern among his family.
Wael suffered from Pompe disease, a rare condition that causes rapid muscle deterioration. Despite this, Wael made light of his medical issues during phone calls with his father, saying "Don't worry, I am not going die until I see you." He also told his father, "I am not going anywhere, not until I see you."
When Maher Tarabishi was arrested by ICE in October, he had been the primary caregiver for Wael. The family reported that Wael could only eat or drink through a tube and needed constant medical attention due to his condition.
In December, Wael was hospitalized again for surgery eight days before his death. When Wael passed away at the Methodist Mansfield Medical Center, Tarabishi had one last conversation with his son over the phone, during which Wael's final words of reassurance and devotion to his father will forever be etched in his heart.
The story raises questions about ICE policies, immigration detention, and the lives of detained individuals, highlighting the devastating consequences faced by these families who are often left without support or care during such difficult times.
Tarabishi was expecting an update on his son's health when he received the devastating news of Wael's death. He broke down, saying "He wouldn’t die without me. There is no way he died without waiting for me." The father felt utterly destroyed and relied on his attorney to secure a release so that he could attend Wael's funeral.
ICE officials initially seemed willing to allow Tarabishi to attend the funeral, discussing possible conditions under which it would be allowed. However, their stance changed when their director stepped in, refusing permission for Maher Tarabishi to attend his son’s burial.
According to automated transcripts and text messages obtained by The Intercept, detention center officials were working with Elhorr to arrange for Tarabishi to attend the funeral. Despite this, ICE management denied the request, stating that it was not a formal request from anyone to attend the funeral services.
Tarabishi had been held in detention since October after being arrested during an ICE check-in. He applied for asylum but was denied and then released for his regular check-ins. However, reports of people being arrested at these check-ins became widespread last year, prompting concern among his family.
Wael suffered from Pompe disease, a rare condition that causes rapid muscle deterioration. Despite this, Wael made light of his medical issues during phone calls with his father, saying "Don't worry, I am not going die until I see you." He also told his father, "I am not going anywhere, not until I see you."
When Maher Tarabishi was arrested by ICE in October, he had been the primary caregiver for Wael. The family reported that Wael could only eat or drink through a tube and needed constant medical attention due to his condition.
In December, Wael was hospitalized again for surgery eight days before his death. When Wael passed away at the Methodist Mansfield Medical Center, Tarabishi had one last conversation with his son over the phone, during which Wael's final words of reassurance and devotion to his father will forever be etched in his heart.
The story raises questions about ICE policies, immigration detention, and the lives of detained individuals, highlighting the devastating consequences faced by these families who are often left without support or care during such difficult times.
this is just heartbreaking. Maher Tarabishi's story is a harsh reminder that those who need medical attention the most are being held captive in detention centers, taking away from their loved ones' lives. How can we even begin to comprehend what his son went through, waiting for him to be released so he could see him one last time? 
it breaks my heart thinking about Wael's final words of reassurance and devotion to his father being the last thing they shared. ICE policies need a serious overhaul - these families deserve better care and support during difficult times 
. We need more people advocating for these families and pushing for policy changes that prioritize their well-being.
what kind of system prioritizes paperwork over people lives like that? I need some sources on this, can someone confirm these automated transcripts are legit or just some PR spin?
it's like his heart is literally breaking right in front of us. I feel so bad for him and his family... how is he supposed to move on from this tragedy when ICE still refuses to acknowledge its mistakes?
i feel like ice has no compassion for people like him who are already struggling to keep their loved ones alive. it's like they're putting more pain on top of the suffering 
that's insane! I don't think it's just about policies, it's about basic human decency. What kind of father can't see their child in their final days? 