‘Cruelty Exposed’: Nearly Blind Refugee Discovered Dead After Border Patrol Abandonment

A nearly blind refugee was discovered deceased in Buffalo, New York, after Border Patrol agents left him stranded far from his residence, according to local reports. The body of Nurul Amin Shah Alam was found on Tuesday night, prompting an ongoing investigation by law enforcement.

Authorities from the Erie County Medical Examiner's office have classified Shah Alam's death as “health related in nature,” dismissing exposure or homicide as causes, as stated by a spokesperson from Buffalo City Hall.

Shah Alam, a 56-year-old Rohingya refugee from Burma, faced significant communication barriers, as he did not speak English. He is survived by his wife and two sons, who are now grappling with the aftermath of his tragic passing.

Last year, Buffalo police arrested Shah Alam after he inadvertently ended up on a woman’s porch while using a curtain rod as a walking stick. This incident resulted in minor injuries to two officers, according to reports.

His son, Mohamad Faisal, explained that the arrest was a misunderstanding; Shah Alam did not understand the officers' commands to drop the stick. Following a plea deal, Shah Alam was released on bail on February 19, only to be taken into custody by Border Patrol shortly thereafter.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement had placed a detainer on Shah Alam prior to his release. However, his attorney, Benjamin Macaluso, asserted that the terms of the plea allowed him to clear the detainer and avoid further detention.

Instead of returning Shah Alam to his home or placing him in federal immigration custody, Border Patrol agents dropped him off at a Tim Hortons several miles away. This location was reportedly near an old address but not where his family could find him. The agents did not inform his family of his whereabouts.

A Border Patrol spokesperson claimed that agents offered Shah Alam a ride to a coffee shop deemed a warm and safe location. They stated he showed no signs of distress or mobility issues requiring assistance.

Faisal expressed frustration, stating that neither he nor his family were informed about where his father had been left. Shah Alam lacked the ability to read or use electronic devices, compounding the difficulty of locating him.

Buffalo has experienced sub-freezing temperatures throughout the month, raising concerns about Shah Alam's safety during the cold nights.

Macaluso initiated a missing person’s case on Saturday. Police mistakenly closed the case on Monday, believing Shah Alam was in immigration custody. The Erie County Medical Examiner confirmed his identity on Wednesday morning.

“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,” Buffalo Mayor Sean Ryan remarked. “That decision from U.S. Customs and Border Protection was unprofessional and inhumane.”