Nearly blind Burmese refugee Nurul Amin Shah Alam, 56, has been found dead in Buffalo, New York, after being abandoned by US border patrol agents. City officials confirmed that homicide detectives are investigating the circumstances leading to his death following his release from custody.
Shah Alam had been held at the Erie County holding center for a year after his arrest by Buffalo police in 2025 on charges of assault, trespassing, and weapon possession. The arrest stemmed from an incident where Shah Alam, who is nearly blind, became lost while on a walk and ended up on a woman's porch. He was using a curtain rod as a walking stick, and when he failed to follow police commands to drop it, officers tasered and beat him, according to his attorney.
He was released on bail and subsequently transferred to border patrol custody. Border patrol agents then dropped him off at a Tim Hortons approximately five miles from his home, without notifying his family or attorney. He had been missing since 19 February.
The Legal Aid Bureau of Buffalo expressed sadness at the news of his death, stating in a statement that they were unable to provide further comment due to ethical obligations. A spokesperson for US Customs and Border Protection did not respond to a request for comment.
Shah Alam arrived in Buffalo 15 months ago in December 2024. He is survived by his wife and two sons.
