Refugee Found Dead Days After Border Patrol Release

Surveillance video shows Nurul Amin Shah Alam being dropped off alone at a Buffalo doughnut shop after his release from custody.

Published on Feb. 28, 2026

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Nurul Amin Shah Alam, a nearly blind refugee from Myanmar, was found dead on the street in Buffalo, New York, five days after being released from county jail and dropped off alone at a doughnut shop by Border Patrol agents. The video footage shows Alam, 56, walking gingerly through the empty parking lot in his jail-issued booties before disappearing into the night. Authorities are investigating the cause of his death.

Why it matters

The case has raised questions about whether federal agents could have done more to ensure Alam's safety when they released him from custody, miles from his home, without informing his family or lawyer. As a vulnerable refugee with limited mobility and English proficiency, Alam's death highlights concerns about how authorities handle the release of detainees, especially those with special needs.

The details

Alam was initially arrested in 2025 after police were called about him wandering into a backyard while holding what appeared to be curtain rods. Body camera footage shows police Tasering and arresting Alam, who did not understand their commands because he did not speak English. He was charged with felony assault, burglary and criminal mischief, but a 'strategic decision' was made not to post bail due to fears he would be taken into custody by immigration officials. Alam later pleaded guilty to two lesser misdemeanor charges and was released from the Erie County Holding Center on February 19, 2026. Border Patrol agents arrived before his release and drove him to a Tim Hortons doughnut shop, where surveillance video captured him walking alone into the night.

  • On February 19, 2026, Alam was released from the Erie County Holding Center and dropped off at a Tim Hortons doughnut shop by Border Patrol agents.
  • On February 24, 2026, Alam's body was found on the street outside the arena where the NHL's Buffalo Sabres play.

The players

Nurul Amin Shah Alam

A 56-year-old refugee from Myanmar who was nearly blind and had limited English proficiency.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection

The federal agency that detained Alam and later released him at a doughnut shop.

Buffalo Police

The local law enforcement agency that initially arrested Alam in 2025 for wandering into a backyard while holding what appeared to be curtain rods.

Erie County Holding Center

The county jail where Alam was held for a year before being released on February 19, 2026.

Legal Aid Bureau of Buffalo

The organization that advised Alam's family not to post bail after his 2025 arrest due to fears he would be taken into custody by immigration officials.

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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)

What’s next

Buffalo police are reviewing footage throughout the city in an attempt to identify Alam's movements after he was dropped off at the Tim Hortons. The county medical examiner is also investigating the cause of his death.

The takeaway

This case highlights the challenges faced by vulnerable immigrants and refugees, especially those with language barriers and disabilities, when navigating the criminal justice and immigration systems. It raises questions about the duty of care owed to detainees upon their release and the need for more comprehensive support and oversight to ensure their safety.