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Refugee Found Dead After Border Patrol Drop-off
28 Feb
Summary
- Nearly blind refugee found dead days after Border Patrol release.
- Border Patrol agents dropped him at a closed doughnut shop.
- Questions arise about agents' actions ensuring his safety.
Nurul Amin Shah Alam, a nearly blind refugee from Myanmar, was discovered deceased in the street on Tuesday, February 25, 2026. This discovery occurred just five nights after Border Patrol agents released him from custody on February 19, 2026. Video surveillance captured him stepping out of a Border Patrol van at a Buffalo doughnut shop, reportedly closed at the time, wearing jail booties. Agents stated they chose a 'warm, safe location' and that Shah Alam accepted a 'courtesy ride' without distress.
Shah Alam, 56, had been held for a year in county jail after a February 15, 2025, incident involving police responding to his presence on private property. Advocates claim misunderstanding due to a language barrier. He was charged with assault, burglary, and criminal mischief but later pleaded guilty to lesser misdemeanor charges. His family's lawyers advised posting bail after fears he would be detained by immigration officials.
The circumstances surrounding his release and subsequent death are raising significant questions about the federal agents' duty of care. Authorities are reviewing city-wide footage to trace his movements from the drop-off location to where his body was found.
