Tragic Death of Blind Refugee Following Border Patrol Abandonment
The body of Nurul Amin Shah Alam, a 56-year-old Rohingya refugee from Burma with severe visual impairment, was discovered in Buffalo, New York, on Tuesday night. His death comes after U.S. Border Patrol agents abandoned him miles from his residence last week, according to a report from the Investigative Post published Wednesday.
Investigation Underway as Medical Examiner Rules Out Homicide
Buffalo police have confirmed that Shah Alam's death is currently under investigation. The Erie County Medical Examiner has determined the death was "health related in nature" and not caused by exposure or homicide, according to Buffalo City Hall spokesperson Ian Ott.
Shah Alam, who did not speak English, is survived by his wife and two sons. His tragic story highlights multiple systemic failures in how vulnerable immigrants are treated within the U.S. immigration and law enforcement systems.
Arrest Stemmed from Misunderstanding with Police
According to reports, Buffalo police arrested Shah Alam last year after he wandered onto a woman's porch during a walk. The refugee allegedly failed to drop a curtain rod he was using as a walking stick when commanded by officers, resulting in minor injuries to two police officers during the incident.
Mohamad Faisal, one of Shah Alam's sons, explained to Reuters that the arrest resulted from a complete misunderstanding. His father didn't comprehend the commands to drop the walking stick due to language barriers and visual impairment.
Plea Deal and Subsequent Border Patrol Involvement
After agreeing to a plea deal, Shah Alam posted bail and was released from detention on February 19. However, the Erie County Sheriff's Office notified Border Patrol of his release, leading to his immediate pickup by immigration authorities.
Despite Immigration and Customs Enforcement having issued an immigration detainer for Shah Alam before his release, his attorney Benjamin Macaluso told the Investigative Post that the terms of his recent plea enabled him to "clear" the detainer and avoid detention.
Border Patrol's Controversial Actions
Rather than taking Shah Alam into federal immigration custody or returning him to his home, Border Patrol agents left him at a Tim Hortons coffee shop miles from his residence. The Investigative Post reported that agents did not notify his family of his location.
A Border Patrol spokesperson claimed in a statement to Buffalo Toronto Public Media that agents offered Shah Alam a "courtesy ride" to what they determined was a "warm, safe location near his last known address." The spokesperson asserted that Shah Alam "showed no signs of distress, mobility issues or disabilities requiring special assistance."
Family's Desperate Search and Systemic Failures
Faisal told Reuters that "nobody told me or my family or attorney where my dad was dropped off." He emphasized that his father couldn't read, write, or use electronic devices, making him particularly vulnerable when abandoned.
Temperatures in Buffalo have frequently dropped below freezing throughout the past month. Attorney Macaluso opened a missing person's case on Saturday, but police briefly closed it Monday under the incorrect assumption that Shah Alam remained in immigration custody.
Official Condemnation and Broader Implications
Buffalo Mayor Sean Ryan issued a strong statement condemning the Border Patrol's actions: "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. That decision from U.S. Customs and Border Protection was unprofessional and inhumane."
The Erie County Medical Examiner officially identified Shah Alam on Wednesday morning, bringing a tragic conclusion to a case that exposes significant flaws in how immigration authorities handle vulnerable individuals within the system.
