Blind Refugee Found Dead After Release by Border Patrol

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A nearly blind refugee from Myanmar, Nurul Amin Shah Alam, was found dead on a downtown Buffalo street after being released from a county jail into the custody of US Border Patrol. Shah Alam had been missing since February 19, when Border Patrol agents dropped him off at a coffee shop miles from his home following his release from jail, where he had spent much of the last year awaiting trial on criminal charges that resulted in a misdemeanor plea deal.

Why it matters

This case highlights concerns about how federal immigration authorities handle vulnerable individuals, especially those with language barriers and disabilities, after their release from criminal detention. Shah Alam's death has raised questions about the decision-making and protocols of US Border Patrol in these situations.

The details

Police found Shah Alam's body on a downtown Buffalo street on Tuesday evening. Homicide detectives are investigating the circumstances of his death. Buffalo Mayor Sean Ryan criticized the "inhumane" decision by Border Patrol to drop off the "vulnerable" Shah Alam, who was nearly blind and unable to speak English, alone at a coffee shop on a cold winter night. Border Patrol said they dropped him off at a "warm, safe location" near his last known address, but Shah Alam's family says no one was notified of where he was dropped off.

• On February 19, US Border Patrol agents dropped Shah Alam off at a coffee shop after his release from county jail.
• On February 21, Shah Alam's body was found on a downtown Buffalo street.

What’s next

The Erie County District Attorney's Office is investigating the circumstances surrounding Shah Alam's death.