Maher's attorney, Ali Elhorr, told People magazine that the father had entered the US lawfully with a visa, but in 2006, his asylum application was denied and a deportation order was issued. That same year, after Wael was officially diagnosed, Maher became his primary caretaker and was therefore permitted to remain in the States to look after him. Mr Elhorr said: "He had check-ins with ICE every year. Never missed a single one. Was never late to one." Maher's daughter-in-law, Shahd Arnaout, says that Maher had taken a folder with him to this latest check-in, filled with evidence detailing Wael's medical needs. Despite this, he was still detained.