Near-blind Rohingya refugee dies after US agents left him far from home

"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 US Customs and Border Protection was unprofessional and inhumane."

"Mohamad Faisal, one of Shah Alam's children, said nobody had told his family or their lawyer where their father had been left by authorities after his release from prison. Faisal said the family were Rohingya refugees from Arakan state, officially known as Rakhine state, in Myanmar, and that his father could not read, write or use electronic devices."

"Several US representatives called for an investigation into the circumstances of Shah Alam's death on Wednesday, including Grace Meng, a Democrat representing areas of New York City, who described a shocking breach of responsibility and basic humanity by federal enforcement."

Nurul Amin Shah Alam, a 56-year-old nearly blind Rohingya refugee from Myanmar, was found dead in Buffalo, New York, days after US Border Patrol agents released him from county jail and dropped him at a coffee shop on February 19. Shah Alam, who could not read, write, speak English, or use electronic devices, was left alone on a cold winter night with no attempt to ensure his safety or inform his family of his location. Buffalo's mayor and multiple US representatives condemned the decision as inhumane and unprofessional, calling for investigations into the circumstances. Shah Alam's family was not notified of his whereabouts after his release from custody.

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