CW: ICE & Death
Immigration enforcement rarely makes headlines for its effects on disability services, but the consequences are unfolding quietly in homes, hospitals, and day programs across the country. For many disabled people, the fear surrounding ICE activity is not just theoretical—it becomes real when a caregiver hesitates to leave home, when a therapy appointment is canceled, or when a parent decides it’s safer to keep a child home.
Caregivers are a critical part of everyday life for thousands of disabled people. Many of them are immigrants. When immigration enforcement increases, the entire disability community feels the repercussions.
For Dupree Edwards, these repercussions hit home. Several of his personal care assistants informed him that ICE had been checking their apartment building and knocking on doors. Many of them were thankful they made it to work at all. Such relief shouldn’t be part of anyone’s morning routine, but it has become a reality for many DSPs. Their fear turns into the fear of the people who depend on them for basic daily needs.
Another self-advocate shared that he stayed home from his day program for a week because the community felt too unsafe. When he finally returned, the change was obvious. Activities were reduced. People were quieter. Staff were trying their best, but the tension was clear. Fear disrupts not just schedules; it disrupts stability.
In Minneapolis, federal raids affected Somali-American families raising autistic children. Parents reported living in fear of an encounter with ICE. Many kept their children out of school, canceled medical appointments, and skipped crucial therapy sessions because they were too scared to leave their homes. Idil Ahmed, whose six-year-old daughter is autistic, mentioned that her child missed three weeks of occupational therapy. “OT for us is so important,” she told The 74. “It regulates her emotions, helps with fine motor skills, and basic tasks like dressing, eating, and body movements, teaching her how to be physically independent.”
Parents worried about their children—some non-verbal, some prone to meltdowns, and others unable to process or respond to commands—coming into contact with agents who had no training in disability. A moment of sensory overload could be seen as defiance. A child’s inability to speak could be interpreted as noncompliance. The result was a community of U.S. citizen children suddenly unable to function well because their families felt forced into hiding, fearful that behaviors associated with disabilities would be met with force rather than compassion.
In some cases, the consequences have been even more tragic. The death of Wael Tarabishi in North Texas has devastated his family—not only due to the loss itself but also because of the surrounding circumstances. Wael, a 30-year-old U.S. citizen living with Pompe disease, spent the last month of his life in a Mansfield hospital, separated from the person he relied on most. His father, Maher Tarabishi, was detained by ICE during an immigration appointment, despite repeated pleas from the family and their lawyer that Maher’s absence was endangering Wael’s life.
Pompe disease is a rare genetic disorder that gradually weakens the body’s muscles, including those needed for breathing and movement. People with Pompe often have difficulties with walking, respiratory function, fatigue, and clearing their airways.
For Wael, his father was not just providing emotional support—he was crucial to his daily care and survival. Losing that support during a medical crisis had devastating consequences. His story highlights the harm caused when immigration enforcement intersects with disability.
These stories reveal a truth the disability community understands: DSPs and caregivers are essential. When they feel unsafe, the whole system suffers. A missed shift, a canceled therapy session, or the sudden loss of a caregiver isn’t a minor disruption—it can derail progress, destabilize routines, and in the worst cases, cost a life.
Some agencies are trying to respond. One immigrant-owned provider is issuing work badges, encouraging staff to carry identification, and ensuring everyone knows how to react if approached by law enforcement. These measures don’t eliminate fear, but they help restore some control in an unpredictable situation.
For many self-advocates, just knowing there is a plan can help them return to their routines, reconnect with the community, and continue their work. This shows the power of preparation and solidarity—when people care for one another, fear loses some of its hold.
Immigration policy affects real people, families, and support networks. When DSPs, caregivers, or parents of disabled children feel targeted or frightened, the disability community immediately feels the consequences. Moving forward begins with acknowledging these connections and recognizing that supporting caregivers is vital for protecting those who depend on them.
Sources:
Caldwell, Alicia A., and Augusta Saraiva. “Trump’s Migrant Crackdown Threatens to Make Hiring Home Health Aides Harder.” Bloomberg, Bloomberg L.P., 16 June 2025, http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-06-16/trump-s-migrant-crackdown-threatens-to-make-hiring-home-health-aides-harder.
Chidambaram, Priya, and Drishti Pillai. “What Role Do Immigrants Play in the Direct Long‑Term Care Workforce?” KFF, KFF (Kaiser Family Foundation), 2 Apr. 2025, http://www.kff.org/medicaid/issue-brief/what-role-do-immigrants-play-in-the-direct-long-term-care-workforce/.
Edwards, Dupree. “When ICE Targets DSPs, the Disability Community Feels It.” Institute on Community Integration, University of Minnesota, 12 Feb. 2026, ici.umn.edu/news/when-ice-targets-dsps-the-disability-community-feels-it.
Napolitano, Jo. “Children with Disabilities Particularly Vulnerable To …” The 74, The 74, 23 Jan. 2026, www.the74million.org/article/children-with-disabilities-particularly-vulnerable-to-minneapolis-ice-crackdown/.
Wedding, Paul. “Disabled Son of ICE Detainee Dies after 30 Days of Hospitalization.” WFAA, Tegna Inc., 23 Jan. 2026, https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/local/tarrant-county/disabled-son-ice-detainee-dies-30-days-hospitalization/287-0b945cda-2cd7-4abd-8eb9-d81117e47061?utm