Refugee Dies After Being Dropped Off by Border Patrol

Buffalo mayor calls death of nearly blind man "deeply disturbing"

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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A 56-year-old refugee from Myanmar named Nurul Amin Shah Alam died on the streets of Buffalo, New York, five days after being dropped off by US Border Patrol agents at a local doughnut shop. Alam had been detained by Border Patrol but released the same day when authorities determined he wasn't eligible for deportation.

Why it matters

The death of Alam, a vulnerable refugee with limited vision, after being abandoned by federal authorities has sparked outrage from Buffalo's mayor and raised questions about the treatment of immigrants and refugees by Border Patrol.

The details

After being released from a county jail, Alam was detained by Border Patrol agents on February 19. The agents then dropped him off at a doughnut shop in Buffalo, despite his limited vision. Alam was found dead on the street five days later, prompting a police investigation and complaints from city officials that he had been abandoned without care for his safety.

  • Alam was detained by Border Patrol agents on February 19, 2026.
  • Alam was dropped off at a doughnut shop in Buffalo on February 19, 2026.
  • Alam was found dead on the street five days later, on February 24, 2026.

The players

Nurul Amin Shah Alam

A 56-year-old refugee from Myanmar who was nearly blind.

US Border Patrol

The federal law enforcement agency that detained and then dropped off Alam at a doughnut shop in Buffalo.

Buffalo Mayor

The mayor of Buffalo, New York, who called Alam's death "deeply disturbing".

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What they’re saying

“The death of Nurul Amin Shah Alam is deeply disturbing and raises serious questions about the treatment of vulnerable immigrants and refugees by federal authorities.”

— Buffalo Mayor (newser.com)

The takeaway

This tragic incident highlights the need for greater oversight and accountability in how federal agencies like Border Patrol handle vulnerable individuals, especially those with disabilities or limited resources, to ensure their safety and well-being.