Blind Refugee Found Dead in Buffalo After Border Patrol Abandonment
An almost blind refugee who vanished after being left miles from his home by U.S. Border Patrol agents has been found dead in Buffalo, New York, prompting a homicide investigation. Nurul Amin Shah Alam, a Rohingya refugee from Myanmar, disappeared on Thursday, 19 February, after agents dropped him at a Tim Horton's coffee shop approximately five miles from his residence, according to a report from The Investigative Post.
Timeline of Events Leading to Tragedy
Shah Alam had been released from the Erie County Holding Center, where he spent nearly a year in custody. Neither his family nor his attorney was notified of his release. His body was discovered on a downtown street in Buffalo on Tuesday evening, several days after he went missing.
City Hall spokesperson Ian Ott confirmed that homicide detectives are now examining the timeline leading up to his death. Shah Alam arrived in Buffalo 15 months ago, in December 2024. His arrest in 2025 followed an incident where he became disoriented during a walk and ended up on a woman's porch while using a curtain rod as a makeshift walking cane.
Arrest and Custody Details
When he failed to follow police commands to drop the rod, officers tasered and beat him, according to his attorney. He was charged with assault, trespassing, and weapon possession, released on bail, and then transferred to Border Patrol custody. After his release, agents left him at the Tim Horton's despite his limited English, near-total blindness, and inability to use a phone. He never made it home, and his family reported him missing two days later.
Legal and Political Response
The Legal Aid Bureau of Buffalo, which represented him, confirmed his death in a statement, citing ethical obligations that prevent further comment. New York Governor Kathy Hochul condemned the circumstances surrounding Shah Alam's death, posting on X: "We can secure our borders and still show basic humanity. CBP released a blind father from custody and left him to find his way home alone. He never made it. New Yorkers deserve answers and accountability."
Shah Alam is survived by his wife and two sons, leaving a community in mourning and raising serious questions about the treatment of vulnerable individuals in immigration custody.
