A U.S. immigration case involving a seriously ill man and his detained father has drawn widespread criticism after the father was denied release to care for his son or attend his funeral, prompting accusations of a “lack of humanity” within federal immigration enforcement.
Wael Tarabishi, a 30-year-old man diagnosed with Pompe disease, died last Friday after years of living with the rare and progressive genetic condition. Pompe disease is a lifelong inherited disorder that causes a buildup of glycogen in muscles and organs, leading to severe muscle weakness, respiratory failure, and complex medical needs that often require constant care.
In the final months of Wael’s life, his condition deteriorated significantly. His death came three months after his father, Maher Tarabishi, was taken into custody by Immigration and Customs Enforcement during a routine immigration check-in in Dallas, Texas.
