In Buffalo, N.Y., the case of Nurul Amin Shah Alam, a nearly blind refugee from Myanmar, has raised serious concerns regarding the actions of U.S. federal agents. After being released from a county jail where he was held for a year, Shah Alam was dropped off by Border Patrol agents at a Tim Hortons restaurant on February 19, 2026. Surveillance footage captured him navigating the empty parking lot in county-issued jail booties, pulling his hood up against the cold and wandering away from the restaurant.
Five nights later, on February 24, Shah Alam was found dead on the street outside the arena where the NHL's Buffalo Sabres play. His body was discovered by a bystander who called 911, and questions have emerged about the circumstances surrounding his release from custody. It remains unclear how Shah Alam managed to travel the several miles from the Tim Hortons to the downtown location where he was found. Buffalo police are currently reviewing city surveillance footage to track his movements following his drop-off.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) stated that agents believed they had chosen "a warm, safe location" for Shah Alam's drop-off. However, it has been brought to attention that he was not informed about his release location, nor were his family members or legal representatives. Shah Alam’s family advocates are questioning whether the federal agents could have taken additional steps to ensure his safety following his release.
Shah Alam’s tumultuous journey leading to his release began when he was arrested in February 2025. Video released by the Buffalo Police Department shows officers confronting him in a snowy backyard while he held curtain rods. The officers shouted commands for him to put the rods down, and one officer threatened to shoot him. Advocates assert that Shah Alam inadvertently entered the wrong property and could not understand the police commands due to his limited English proficiency. During the arrest, he allegedly bit two officers, which led to charges of felony assault, burglary, and criminal mischief, alongside a federal immigration detainer.
Despite concerns about immigration custody, Shah Alam’s family decided to post bail after he pleaded guilty to two lesser, misdemeanor charges on February 9, 2026. After spending a year in jail, he was released on February 19, with the Erie County sheriff’s office notifying Border Patrol of his pending release. Federal agents arrived before he was officially free and transported him to the Tim Hortons.
Following his death, the county medical examiner is investigating the cause of his passing. The circumstances of his release and subsequent death have sparked outrage, particularly given the vulnerabilities identified in Shah Alam's situation as a nearly blind refugee. Buffalo Mayor Sean Ryan mentioned that the Tim Hortons was closed at the time of Shah Alam's drop-off, highlighting further the precariousness of his release location.
As investigations continue, Buffalo Police have not released new information regarding the case. The death of Nurul Amin Shah Alam has become a focal point for discussions about the responsibilities of federal agents and the need for better communication and support for vulnerable individuals following their release from custody.
