Outrage in Buffalo After Blind Refugee Found Dead Following Border Patrol Drop-Off
BUFFALO, NY — A tragic case of alleged abandonment has sparked a major investigation and political outcry in Buffalo. Nurul Amin Shah Alam, a 56-year-old nearly blind refugee from Myanmar, was found dead on Tuesday night, five days after U.S. Border Patrol agents dropped him at a Tim Hortons and left him to find his own way home.
The discovery of his body near the KeyBank Center, miles from where he was dropped off, has led city officials and advocates to condemn the federal agency’s actions as "inhumane."
The Timeline of Events
The Arrest: Shah Alam, a Rohingya refugee who arrived in the U.S. in December 2024, had been in county custody since early 2025 following a misunderstanding where he got lost and was arrested for trespassing.
The Release: On Thursday, February 19, 2026, he was released on bail. However, Border Patrol agents took him into custody due to an immigration detainer.
The Drop-Off: After determining he was not eligible for deportation, agents did not return him to his family or his home. Instead, they drove him to a Tim Hortons north of downtown Buffalo around 8:00 p.m. and left him there.
The Search: Shah Alam’s family and attorney, who were never notified of his release or location, spent days searching for him in freezing temperatures and light snow. He was officially reported missing on Sunday.
The Discovery: His body was found Tuesday evening on Perry Street. He was reportedly still wearing the orange "booties" issued by the county jail rather than winter shoes.
Official Reactions Buffalo Mayor Sean Ryan has been vocal in his criticism, calling the incident a "dereliction of duty."
"A vulnerable man — nearly blind and unable to speak English — was left alone on a cold winter night with no known attempt to leave him in a safe, secure location. That decision from U.S. Customs and Border Protection was unprofessional and inhumane," Mayor Ryan said in a statement.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul also demanded accountability, stating that "New Yorkers deserve answers" regarding how a vulnerable father could be abandoned by federal agents.
CBP Defense U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) defended the agents' actions, claiming they offered Shah Alam a "courtesy ride" to a location near his last known address. The agency stated that he "showed no signs of distress, mobility issues, or disabilities requiring special assistance" at the time of the drop-off.
Investigation Status While the Buffalo Police initially suggested the death was "health-related" and ruled out foul play or exposure, the Erie County Department of Health clarified on Thursday that the official cause of death is still under investigation.
Shah Alam is survived by his wife and two sons. A funeral was held Thursday at Buffalo's Masjid Zakariya Cemetery, where community members called for justice and a systemic overhaul of how vulnerable refugees are handled by law enforcement.