Nurul Amin Shah Alam, a 56-year-old, Rohingya refugee who was nearly blind, died in Buffalo, New York, after being released by U.S. Border Patrol agents in February 2026. According to reports, agents dropped him off at a doughnut shop parking lot, despite him having limited vision and speaking little English. His family, who was waiting for his release, was not notified.

Five days later, Shah Alam was found dead several miles away. The Erie County Medical Examiner ruled his death a homicide, meaning it resulted from another person’s actions or inaction. Officials said he died from complications of a perforated ulcer brought on by hypothermia and dehydration, conditions that developed after prolonged exposure to the cold without support.

Government agencies have offered conflicting responses. U.S. Customs and Border Protection stated that Shah Alam showed no visible signs of distress or disability when he was released and described the location as safe. However, local officials and advocates have raised serious concerns, pointing to his visual impairment, language barriers, and the freezing temperatures he faced that night.

Advocates and community members have called the death preventable and are demanding accountability. They argue that Shah Alam, who came to the United States seeking safety, was instead placed in a situation where he could not survive on his own. His death highlights broader concerns about how disabled and vulnerable individuals are treated in custody and release processes.

Source: https://www.cnn.com/2026/04/01/us/nurul-amin-shah-alam-ny