But despite the family’s public pleas for Maher’s temporary release, Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials denied their request, his attorney said.
The son spent his life suffering from Pompe disease, which leads to severe muscle weakness and heart problems.
ICE’s decision came three months after Maher was detained during a routine immigration check-in in Dallas.
At first, they hoped Maher could be released to provide the 24-hour specialized care for Wael that only he was trained to do.
But in Wael’s last days, they were holding hope Maher could at least say goodbye to his son in person.
Shahd Arnaout, Wael’s sister-in-law, told CNN the family struggled to care for Wael with his father in ICE custody.
He was detained in October during a scheduled check-in at an ICE facility in Dallas, his family and their attorney said. »