Death of Near-Blind Refugee in Buffalo Ruled Homicide Following Border Patrol Custody

The death of Nurul Amin Shah Alam, a 56-year-old Rohingya refugee left in the cold by Border Patrol, is ruled a homicide by the Erie County Medical Examiner.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 2, 2026, 4:01 AM EDT

Source: Reuters

The Medical Examiner’s Findings and Homicide Designation

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Local officials in upstate New York confirmed on Wednesday that the death of 56-year-old Nurul Amin Shah Alam is being treated as a homicide. The Erie County Medical Examiner’s office detailed that the cause of death was complications arising from a perforated duodenal ulcer, a condition precipitated by extreme hypothermia and dehydration. Crucially, the office clarified that a "homicide" ruling in this context can stem from criminal negligence or a fatal omission of care, rather than a specific intent to kill. The determination places a legal spotlight on the duty of care owed to vulnerable individuals within the immigration enforcement system.

Background of Vulnerability and Abandonment

Nurul Amin Shah Alam was a member of the Arakan Rohingya ethnic group, having fled genocide in Myanmar to seek safety in the United States. Despite his status as a refugee, he faced significant physical and linguistic barriers; he was nearly blind, used a cane for mobility, and did not speak English. In February 2026, after serving nearly a year in jail on charges that eventually resulted in a misdemeanor plea deal, he was released into the custody of U.S. Border Patrol. Rather than being provided with specialized assistance or transit to a secure facility, agents reportedly dropped him off at a local coffee shop in downtown Buffalo during a period of life-threatening cold.

Systemic Context of Immigration Custody Deaths