Refugee Found Dead Days After Border Patrol Release

Surveillance video shows nearly blind man dropped off alone at closed doughnut shop before his death

Published on Feb. 28, 2026

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Nurul Amin Shah Alam, a 56-year-old refugee from Myanmar, was found dead on the streets of Buffalo, New York, five days after being released from county jail and dropped off alone by Border Patrol agents at a closed Tim Hortons doughnut shop. The incident has raised questions about whether federal agents could have done more to ensure his safety.

Why it matters

The case highlights concerns about how federal immigration authorities handle the release of vulnerable individuals, especially those with limited English proficiency and disabilities. It also raises questions about the protocols and policies governing the transfer of detainees from local to federal custody.

The details

Surveillance video shows Shah Alam, who was nearly blind, walking gingerly through the empty parking lot of the Tim Hortons in his county-issued jail booties after being dropped off by Border Patrol agents on February 19. He was found dead on the street five days later. Authorities say they chose the location as a 'warm, safe' place, but Shah Alam's lawyers and advocates argue the agents should have done more to ensure his safety and connect him with his family or support services.

  • On February 19, Shah Alam was released from county jail and dropped off by Border Patrol at the Tim Hortons.
  • On February 24, Shah Alam's body was found on the street outside the Buffalo Sabres arena.

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 and released Shah Alam.

Benjamin Macaluso

A lawyer with the Legal Aid Bureau of Buffalo who reported Shah Alam missing and searched for him after his release.

Sean Ryan

The mayor of Buffalo, who stated the Tim Hortons where Shah Alam was dropped off was closed at the time.

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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 to try to identify Shah 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 raises serious concerns about how federal immigration authorities handle the release of vulnerable individuals, especially those with limited English proficiency and disabilities. It highlights the need for more robust protocols and policies to ensure the safety and well-being of detainees during the transfer process.