‘They killed him inside’: man who was son’s caretaker detained by ICE and denied final goodbye

Maher Tarabishi has been the primary caregiver for his son, Wael, who was diagnosed as a child with Pompe disease, a progressive muscle disorder. Composite: Courtesy Shahd Arnaout

Until three months ago, Wael Tarabishi and his father, Maher, were inseparable. It was a necessity; in addition to being best friends, Maher was the caretaker for 30-year-old Wael, who was diagnosed with a progressive muscle disorder called Pompe disease when he was a child.

As Wael’s mother said in November, Maher was his son’s “case manager, his equipment company, his doctor, his everything”.