The death of 56-year-old Nurul Amin Shah Alam, a Rohingya refugee from Burma (also known as Myanmar), has sparked outrage and calls for investigation after he was found dead in Buffalo, New York, five days after being released from custody by U.S. Border Patrol agents.
Circumstances of His Death
Shah Alam, who was nearly blind and spoke little to no English, was released from the Erie County Holding Center on February 19, 2026. Border Patrol briefly took him into custody but determined he should not be deported. Later that night, agents reportedly dropped him off at a closed Tim Hortons coffee shop in near-freezing temperatures. His body was discovered on February 24th, approximately four miles from where he was left.
Buffalo Mayor Sean Ryan publicly criticized the actions of Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), stating at a press conference that his city would no longer cooperate with those agencies. According to Mayor Ryan, Border Patrol agents “don’t know what they are doing” and demonstrated this by abandoning a disabled man who was confused and lost.
Confusion Over Custody
Reporter J. Dale Shoemaker, of Investigative Post, explained that a miscommunication occurred regarding which agency was responsible for taking custody of Shah Alam after his release. His attorneys believed ICE would take him, but ICE reportedly declined. Border Patrol then transported him to the coffee shop instead of releasing him at their station.
Shah Alam had been arrested in February 2025 after police responded to a report of a man in a backyard. Officers stated he was holding “two long black poles” and charged him with assault after a physical altercation. His family maintains this was a misunderstanding, as he was lost and using a curtain rod as a walking stick.
What Happens Next?
Calls for an investigation into the Border Patrol’s handling of Shah Alam’s release are growing. Federal authorities will launch a review of the incident and the agency’s protocols for releasing individuals from custody. Congressional leaders and other officials may demand answers and seek to prevent similar tragedies in the future. Further reporting may reveal additional details about the circumstances surrounding his death and the communication failures that occurred.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was Nurul Amin Shah Alam’s immigration status?
Nurul Amin Shah Alam was a legal refugee from Burma, resettled in Buffalo in December 2024.
Why was Nurul Amin Shah Alam initially arrested?
He was arrested in February 2025 after police responded to a report of a man in a backyard, and charged with assault following a physical altercation.
What did the Buffalo Mayor say about the incident?
Buffalo Mayor Sean Ryan stated that the Department of Homeland Security, Border Patrol, and ICE “don’t know what they are doing” and announced that the Buffalo Police Department would no longer assist those agencies in civil immigration enforcement actions.
Given the tragic circumstances of Nurul Amin Shah Alam’s death, what responsibility do communities have to assist vulnerable individuals, even when faced with language barriers or other challenges?
