An almost blind refugee who vanished after being left miles from home by U.S. Border Patrol has been found dead in Buffalo, in New York State, prompting an investigation by homicide detectives.
Nurul Amin Shah Alam, a Rohingya refugee from Myanmar, disappeared on Thursday, 19 February, after Border Patrol agents dropped him at a Tim Horton’s coffee shop roughly five miles from his home, according to a report from The Investigative Post.
He was left at the restaurant after his release from the Erie County Holding Center, where he had spent nearly a year in custody.
Neither his family nor his attorney was notified.
His body was discovered on a downtown street in Buffalo on Tuesday evening.
City Hall spokesperson Ian Ott said homicide detectives are now examining the timeline leading up to his death.
Shah Alam had arrived in Buffalo 15 months ago – in December 2024. His arrest in 2025 followed an incident in which he became disoriented during a walk and ended up on a woman’s porch while using a curtain rod as a makeshift walking cane.
When he failed to follow police commands to drop it, officers tasered and beat him, according to his attorney.
He was charged with assault, trespassing, and weapon possession, released on bail, and then transferred to Border Patrol custody.
After his release, agents left him at the Tim Horton’s despite his limited English, near‑total blindness, and inability to use a phone. He never made it home. His family reported him missing two days later.
The Legal Aid Bureau of Buffalo, which represented him, confirmed his death in a statement, saying it could not comment further due to ethical obligations.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul condemned the circumstances surrounding Shah Alam’s death.
“We can secure our borders and still show basic humanity,” she posted on X.
“CBP released a blind father from custody and left him to find his way home alone. He never made it.
“New Yorkers deserve answers and accountability.”
Shah Alam is survived by his wife and two sons.
