Blind Refugee Found Dead After Border Patrol Drop-Off at Buffalo Doughnut Shop
Police in New York state are investigating the death of a nearly blind refugee from Myanmar who disappeared after U.S. Border Patrol agents dropped him off at a doughnut shop in Buffalo. The man, Nurul Amin Shah Alam, 56, was found dead on the street five days later, prompting complaints from city officials that he had been abandoned without proper care for his safety.
Timeline of Events Leading to Tragedy
Shah Alam was detained by Border Patrol agents on February 19 after his release from a county jail. Federal authorities determined he was not eligible for deportation and released him the same day. The agents brought him to a Tim Hortons restaurant north of Buffalo's downtown and left him there, according to authorities and advocates. His family, who had expected him to walk out of jail, was not informed of his release.
Shah Alam's lawyer reported him missing to Buffalo police on February 22 after learning that an immigration detention center did not have him in custody. He was found dead on Tuesday night near the downtown sports arena where the NHL's Buffalo Sabres play. It remains unclear how he got there from the Tim Hortons, several miles away, or when he died.
Conflicting Accounts and Ongoing Investigations
The county medical examiner is investigating the cause of death. The Buffalo Police Department initially told reporters that the medical examiner had concluded the death was "health related" and ruled out exposure or homicide. However, the Erie County Department of Health later disputed this, stating no determination had been made. Detectives are investigating the events leading up to Shah Alam's death, which was first reported by the Investigative Post.
Mayor Criticizes Federal Agents
Buffalo's mayor, Democrat Sean Ryan, blamed the death at least partly on a "dereliction of duty" by federal agents, arguing they should not have left him alone, miles from his home. "A vulnerable man — nearly blind and unable to speak English — was left alone on a cold winter night with no known attempt to leave him in a safe, secure location. That decision from U.S. Customs and Border Protection was unprofessional and inhumane," Ryan said in a statement.
Ryan noted that Shah Alam was wearing orange booties issued by the county holding center, rather than proper shoes suitable for winter weather. During the days he was missing, temperatures in Buffalo fell below freezing with light snow.
Border Patrol Defends Actions
U.S. Customs and Border Protection defended its actions in a statement, saying, "Border Patrol agents offered him a courtesy ride, which he chose to accept to a coffee shop, determined to be a warm, safe location near his last known address, rather than be released directly from the Border Patrol station. He showed no signs of distress, mobility issues, or disabilities requiring special assistance."
Background of the Refugee
Shah Alam arrived in the United States with his wife and two children in December 2024 in search of opportunity for his family, according to Imran Fazal, who knows the family and founded the Rohingya Empowerment Community. He had previously worked in construction in Malaysia for many years.
Buffalo police arrested Shah Alam a year ago after an incident that resulted in minor injuries to two officers. He was initially indicted on charges of assault, burglary, and criminal mischief. Prosecutors said he had two metal poles when he approached the officers. Fazal explained the arrest was a misunderstanding due to language barriers and cultural differences, noting Shah Alam had been taking shelter from the snow near a house at the time and cannot walk properly without a cane.
Shah Alam ultimately pleaded guilty on February 9 to misdemeanor charges of trespassing and possession of a weapon and was scheduled to be sentenced in March. Erie County District Attorney Mike Keane said he offered a reduced plea "in the interest of justice," partly to avoid mandatory deportation from a felony conviction.
Family's Search and Systemic Failures
Fazal said the family posted bail and went to the county jail expecting Shah Alam to be freed. "The family was waiting in the waiting room. They were thinking he was just coming out," he said. However, since Border Patrol had lodged an immigration detainer after his arrest, the Erie County Sheriff's Office followed standard practice and informed the federal agency about his pending release.
Mayor Ryan stated Shah Alam was initially taken to an Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility, which did not take him. After his attorney was notified about the drop-off at Tim Hortons, the family searched for him but could not locate him. Fazal emphasized, "He should not be dropped off in a location where he doesn't know anybody. He doesn't speak English," calling it "a complete failure of the system."
Political Response
U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, a Democrat, sent a letter to federal officials demanding a full accounting of the actions taken by agents. The incident has raised broader questions about the treatment of vulnerable individuals in immigration and law enforcement processes.
