An investigation is under way after a nearly blind Burmese refugee who was abandoned by US border patrol agents was found dead in Buffalo, New York, city officials have confirmed.
Nurul Amin Shah Alam, 56, had been missing since 19 February, when he was dropped off by border patrol following his release from the Erie County holding centre, according to the Investigative Post. A city hall spokesperson, Ian Ott, told the outlet that homicide detectives were investigating the circumstances and timeframe of events leading up to his death.
Shah Alam had been held at the Erie County facility for the past year after being arrested by Buffalo police in 2025 on charges of assault, trespassing and possession of a weapon. The arrest stemmed from an incident in which he became lost during a walk and ended up on a woman's porch. He had been using a curtain rod as a walking stick, his attorney said. When he failed to follow police commands to drop the rod, he was Tasered and beaten.
After being released on bail, he was transferred to border patrol custody. Agents later dropped him off at a Tim Hortons about five miles from his home, but neither his attorney nor his family were notified of his release.
In a statement shared with the Guardian, the Legal Aid Bureau of Buffalo said: “We are saddened to learn that our client, Nurul Amin Shah Alam, was found deceased last night in the City of Buffalo.” The organisation said it could not provide further comment due to ethical obligations. Michael Niezgoda, a spokesperson for US Customs and Border Protection, the parent agency of border patrol, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Shah Alam arrived in Buffalo in December 2024. He is survived by his wife and two sons.
