Nearly Blind Myanmar Refugee Dies After Border Patrol Drop-Off

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A 56-year-old nearly blind refugee from Myanmar named Nurul Amin Shah Alam was found dead five days after U.S. Border Patrol agents dropped him off at a Tim Hortons doughnut shop in Buffalo, New York. Shah Alam had been detained by Border Patrol but was released when they determined he was not eligible for deportation. Authorities said the cause of death was health-related, not exposure or homicide, but Buffalo's mayor blamed the federal agents for abandoning the vulnerable man in an unfamiliar location.

Why it matters

This incident has raised concerns about how federal immigration authorities handle the release of vulnerable individuals, especially those with language barriers and disabilities. The death of Shah Alam has prompted criticism of the Border Patrol's actions and calls for a full investigation into the events leading up to his death.

The details

On February 19, U.S. Border Patrol agents detained Shah Alam after his release from a county jail, but then dropped him off alone at a Tim Hortons doughnut shop several miles from his home, despite knowing he was nearly blind and did not speak English. Shah Alam's family began searching for him after being notified of the drop-off, but he was not found until five days later, dead near the downtown Buffalo sports arena. The county medical examiner determined the cause of death was health-related, not exposure or homicide.

• On February 19, Shah Alam was detained by U.S. Border Patrol agents after his release from a county jail.
• On February 19, Border Patrol agents dropped Shah Alam off alone at a Tim Hortons doughnut shop in Buffalo.
• On February 24, Shah Alam was found dead near the downtown Buffalo sports arena.

What’s next

The Buffalo Police Department is investigating the events leading up to Shah Alam's death, and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand has demanded a full accounting from federal officials.