Blind Refugee Found Dead Days After Being Dropped Off Alone by Immigration Agents

Nurul Amin Shah Alam, a refugee with limited vision, died after being released from custody and left at a coffee shop instead of a patrol station.

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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A 56-year-old blind refugee named Nurul Amin Shah Alam was found dead in Buffalo, New York, just days after being released from the Erie County jail and dropped off alone at a coffee shop by immigration agents. Alam, who did not speak English, had spent much of 2025 in custody awaiting trial on criminal charges that were eventually settled through a misdemeanor plea agreement. His body was discovered about five days after his release, a few miles from where he had been dropped off by the agents.

Why it matters

This case has raised concerns about how immigration officials are treating individuals, regardless of their immigration status, and whether the agents followed proper protocols in handling Alam's release. The death has been described as 'preventable' by Buffalo's mayor, and there are calls for a thorough investigation at the local, state, and federal levels.

The details

According to reports, Alam, who relied on a cane to walk due to his limited vision, was arrested after accidentally wandering onto private property while using a curtain rod as a makeshift walking stick. Because he struggled with English, he reportedly did not understand officers' instructions to drop the rod and was taken into custody. After spending much of 2025 in jail, he was released on February 19, but instead of being taken to a patrol station, immigration agents dropped him off alone at a coffee shop near his last known address.

  • Alam was released from the Erie County jail on February 19, 2026.
  • His body was found around 8:30 p.m. on February 24, 2026, a few miles from where he had been dropped off.

The players

Nurul Amin Shah Alam

A 56-year-old blind refugee from Myanmar who had been living in the U.S. with his wife and two children.

US Customs and Border Protection

The agency responsible for Alam's release and transportation after his release from the Erie County jail.

Buffalo Police

The local law enforcement agency investigating the circumstances surrounding Alam's death.

Tim Kennedy

A New York Congressman who has called for a thorough investigation into Alam's death at the local, state, and federal levels.

Imran Fazal

A family friend of Alam who stated that he relied on a cane to walk due to his limited vision.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)

What’s next

The medical examiner has not yet confirmed Shah Alam's official cause of death, and homicide detectives are continuing to investigate the case.

The takeaway

This case highlights the need for greater accountability and oversight of how immigration officials handle the release and transportation of vulnerable individuals, regardless of their immigration status. It also raises questions about the treatment of refugees and immigrants in the U.S. and the potential consequences of language barriers and lack of support.