Near-blind Rohingya refugee dies after US agents left him far from home

Nurul Amin Shah Alam, a 56-year-old nearly blind Rohingya refugee from Rakhine state in Myanmar, was found dead on the streets of Buffalo, New York, on February 24, 2023. His body was discovered by police officers after he had been missing for five days following his release from U.S. Border Patrol custody. Shah Alam was released on February 19, when Border Patrol agents dropped him off at a coffee shop, miles away from his home, without notifying his family or lawyer about his release. The Department of Homeland Security stated that Shah Alam was dropped off at a “warm, safe location” in Buffalo. However, he never made it inside the location where he was supposed to go. Reports indicate that he was released at night, raising concerns about his safety, particularly given his near-blindness. The circumstances surrounding his release and subsequent death have prompted scrutiny of the U.S. immigration authorities' handling of vulnerable individuals. Local authorities are investigating the circumstances of Shah Alam's death and the actions taken by immigration officials prior to his release. The incident has drawn attention to the treatment of refugees and the protocols followed by U.S. Border Patrol, highlighting the risks faced by individuals who are released without adequate support or communication with their families. The Buffalo Police Department confirmed the details surrounding the discovery of his body and the timeline of events leading up to his death.