Blind Rohingya Refugee Found Dead in Buffalo

The death of a 56-year-old Rohingya refugee in Buffalo has sparked outrage, grief, and renewed scrutiny of federal immigration procedures. Nearly blind and unable to speak English, Nurul Amin Shah Alam vanished after being released from jail into federal custody, and days later, he was found dead on a downtown street.

City leaders are calling the case preventable. Federal officials dispute wrongdoing. As investigators work to determine what happened, a grieving family is demanding answers.

A Body Found in Downtown Buffalo

Buffalo police confirmed that officers discovered Shah Alam’s body Tuesday evening in the city’s downtown area. The Buffalo Police Department said homicide detectives are investigating the circumstances surrounding his death.

Authorities have not yet released a cause of death. Officials have also not indicated whether foul play is suspected, but the case remains under active review.

Shah Alam had been missing since February 19.

Released, Then Left at a Coffee Shop

According to local authorities and statements reported by Investigative Post, Shah Alam was released from the Erie County jail after reaching a plea agreement on misdemeanor charges. Because Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) had issued an immigration detainer, federal authorities were notified prior to his release.

Instead of ICE agents, U.S. Border Patrol officers assumed custody.

Federal officials later said agents determined that Shah Alam had entered the United States as a refugee and could not be deported. They offered him what they described as a “courtesy ride,” which he accepted.

Agents dropped him off at a coffee shop located miles from his family’s home.

Border Patrol officials said the location was selected because it was near his last known address and considered warm and safe. They further stated he showed no visible signs of distress or disability requiring special assistance.

Temperatures in Buffalo that weekend were below freezing.

Mayor Calls Decision “Inhumane”

Buffalo Mayor Sean Ryan sharply criticized federal authorities in a public statement Wednesday.

He described the decision to leave a vulnerable man, nearly blind and unable to speak English, alone on a winter night as both unprofessional and inhumane.

According to the mayor, Shah Alam should have been released in a secure setting or directly connected with family members. He argued that the tragedy was avoidable.

Federal Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials did not immediately respond to additional requests for comment beyond their initial statement to local media.

The Arrest That Led to Detention

Shah Alam’s legal troubles began about a year earlier.

The Erie County District Attorney’s Office said he was arrested following an encounter that resulted in minor injuries to two Buffalo police officers. He later agreed to a plea deal that reduced the charges to a misdemeanor, clearing the way for his release on bail earlier this month.

But his family insists the incident stemmed from confusion, not criminal intent.

In a text message shared with reporters, Shah Alam’s son, Mohamad Faisal, said his father had been out for a walk when he became disoriented. Nearly blind, he had been using a curtain rod as a walking stick.

At some point, Shah Alam wandered onto private property. A homeowner contacted police.

When officers ordered him to drop the rod, Faisal said, his father did not understand the commands because he spoke no English. That misunderstanding led to his arrest.

“He was lost,” Faisal explained. “He couldn’t see well and didn’t understand what was happening.”

A Vulnerable Refugee

Shah Alam and his family are Rohingya refugees from Myanmar’s Rakhine State, also known as Arakan. The Rohingya minority has faced decades of persecution and displacement, with many forced to flee violence and discrimination.

Family members said Shah Alam did not read or write and did not use electronic devices. He relied heavily on relatives for daily needs.

After nearly a year in jail awaiting resolution of his case, his family expected a reunion.

Instead, Faisal said they were never informed where federal agents left his father after release.

“Nobody told me or my family or attorney where my dad was dropped off,” he said.

His father’s only wish, Faisal added, was to return home, eat familiar food, and be reunited with loved ones.

Questions About Federal Custody Practices

The case has ignited debate about how federal immigration authorities handle vulnerable detainees, especially those with disabilities or language barriers.

Border Patrol officials maintain that Shah Alam displayed no outward signs of mobility challenges or disabilities that would require special accommodation.

City officials disagree.

Mayor Ryan emphasized that releasing a nearly blind individual without confirmed transportation, family contact, or direct supervision raises serious humanitarian concerns.

Legal advocates and immigrant rights groups are now calling for a review of release protocols to ensure individuals with medical or language limitations are not placed at risk.

Community Reaction and Broader Impact

Buffalo has a significant refugee population and is often regarded as a resettlement hub for displaced communities. News of Shah Alam’s death has deeply unsettled local immigrant groups.

Advocates argue the incident highlights systemic gaps in communication between local law enforcement, federal agencies, and families.

It also raises broader questions about the intersection of criminal justice and immigration enforcement, particularly when nonviolent offenses trigger prolonged detention and federal holds.

While immigration detainers are legal tools used to transfer custody of noncitizens after local detention, critics have long warned that coordination failures can produce dangerous outcomes.

In this case, the central unanswered question remains: could better communication have prevented tragedy?

Investigation Underway

Buffalo police homicide detectives are continuing their investigation. Authorities have not yet disclosed whether surveillance footage, witness accounts, or medical findings offer clarity about Shah Alam’s final hours.

Until those details emerge, speculation remains limited to official statements and family testimony.

What is clear is that a vulnerable man disappeared after federal custody, and days later was found dead in freezing conditions.

A Tragedy With Unfinished Answers

Nurul Amin Shah Alam survived displacement from Myanmar and resettled in the United States seeking safety. His final days, however, have left a city searching for accountability.

As investigators work to determine how he died, community leaders are pressing for transparency and policy review.

For his family, the issue is simpler and more painful: a father who should have come home never did.

The outcome of the investigation may determine whether this case leads to reforms, or becomes another unresolved chapter in the complex intersection of immigration enforcement and humanitarian responsibility.

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