Refugee Found Dead After Border Patrol Dropped Him at Buffalo Doughnut Shop

Nurul Amin Shah Alam, a nearly blind refugee from Myanmar, died days after being left alone by agents at a Tim Hortons restaurant.

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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A 56-year-old refugee from Myanmar, Nurul Amin Shah Alam, was found dead on the street in Buffalo, New York, five days after U.S. Border Patrol agents dropped him off alone at a Tim Hortons doughnut shop. Shah Alam, who was nearly blind and did not speak English, had been detained by Border Patrol and then released, with agents leaving him at the shop miles from his home. His family was not informed of his release, and he went missing for several days before his body was discovered. The death has prompted a police investigation and criticism from Buffalo's mayor, who blamed the agents' 'dereliction of duty' for abandoning the vulnerable man.

Why it matters

This incident has raised concerns about the treatment of vulnerable immigrants and refugees by federal authorities, as well as the potential consequences of leaving individuals in unfamiliar and potentially unsafe situations without proper support or notification of their families. It highlights the need for more humane and responsible policies when dealing with detainees, especially those with special needs or limited English proficiency.

The details

Nurul Amin Shah Alam was detained by Border Patrol agents on February 19 after being released from a county jail, but the agents determined he was not eligible for deportation and released him the same day. They then drove him to a Tim Hortons restaurant north of downtown Buffalo and left him there, several miles from his home. Shah Alam's family was not informed of his release, and his lawyer reported him missing to the Buffalo police on February 22 after learning he was not in custody at an immigration detention center. Shah Alam's body was found on the street near the downtown sports arena on February 24, though it was unclear how he got there or when he died. The county medical examiner was investigating the cause of death.

  • On February 19, Shah Alam was detained by Border Patrol agents after being released from a county jail.
  • On February 19, the Border Patrol agents dropped Shah Alam off at a Tim Hortons restaurant in Buffalo.
  • On February 22, Shah Alam's lawyer reported him missing to the Buffalo police.
  • On February 24, Shah Alam's body was found on the street near the downtown sports arena in Buffalo.

The players

Nurul Amin Shah Alam

A 56-year-old refugee from Myanmar who was nearly blind and did not speak English.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection

The federal agency that detained and then released Shah Alam, dropping him off at a Tim Hortons restaurant.

Sean Ryan

The Democratic mayor of Buffalo, who blamed Shah Alam's death in part on a 'dereliction of duty' by the federal agents.

Imran Fazal

A community advocate who knows Shah Alam's family and founded the Rohingya Empowerment Community.

Mike Keane

The Erie County District Attorney, who had offered Shah Alam a reduced plea deal to avoid mandatory deportation.

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What’s next

Detectives are continuing to investigate the events leading up to Shah Alam's death, and the county medical examiner is working to determine the official cause of death.

The takeaway

This tragic incident highlights the need for more compassionate and responsible policies when dealing with vulnerable immigrants and refugees, especially those with limited English proficiency or special needs. It underscores the importance of ensuring the safety and well-being of detainees, and of notifying families when individuals are released from custody.