*The death of Nurul Amin Shah Alam, a 56-year-old nearly blind refugee, has sparked outrage and investigation after he was found dead in Buffalo, New York, days after Border Patrol agents dropped him off alone at a coffee shop.
According to KRDO, Shah Alam, who spoke little English and relied on a cane, had been released from Erie County jail on February 19 following a misdemeanor plea deal. His body was discovered on February 24, approximately four miles from the location where he was left.
Border Patrol said agents offered Shah Alam a “courtesy ride” to a coffee shop, which he selected as a warm, safe spot. Officials stated he showed no visible distress or mobility issues. However, Buffalo Mayor Sean Ryan and Shah Alam’s family criticized the decision, pointing out that he could not read, write, or use electronic devices, and his family no longer lived near the coffee shop. Ryan called the incident “preventable” and condemned the agency for failing to contact his family or lawyer, calling the actions “ .”
Shah Alam, a refugee from Myanmar’s Rohingya minority, arrived in the U.S. in December 2024 with his wife and two children. His arrest in Buffalo stemmed from a misunderstanding with police after he was seen walking with a curtain rod as a walking stick. Officers reportedly fired stun guns and handcuffed him during the incident.
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Shah Alam faced charges including assault on officers and trespassing, which were later resolved with a misdemeanor plea. Erie County District Attorney Michael J. Keane said the charges will be dismissed upon receipt of the death certificate.
The weather in Buffalo at the time of his release included freezing rain and temperatures in the low 30s. He was wearing only detention center booties and had no access to phones or communication. Shah Alam’s attorney filed a missing person report on February 22, but police closed the case the following day after determining he was in federal custody. The case was later reopened when it was discovered he had been released by Border Patrol.
“How in a place like the United States of America, how does something like that happen here?” a family friend, Khaleda Shah, told CNN affiliate WKBW. “We don’t feel safe at all. The family does not feel safe. And here, especially in the City of Buffalo, we’re supposed to be in the City of Good Neighbors.”
Local officials, including New York Congressman Tim Kennedy and Attorney General Letitia James, have called for full investigations at all levels.
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