Death of Myanmar refugee in Buffalo ruled a homicide by authorities

Key Points:

• Nurul Amin Shah Alam, a nearly blind Rohingya refugee from Myanmar, was found dead in Buffalo in February, five days after Border Patrol agents left him at a Tim Hortons; his death has been ruled a homicide due to complications from a perforated duodenal ulcer caused by hypothermia and dehydration.
• The Erie County Medical Examiner did not assign responsibility for his death, and while a homicide ruling indicates involvement of another person’s actions or inaction, it does not necessarily imply a crime was committed.
• Border Patrol maintains Shah Alam showed no signs of distress when dropped off and denies responsibility, while immigrant advocates and New York officials, including Governor Kathy Hochul, call for accountability and a criminal investigation into the agents' conduct.
• Shah Alam had recently been released from Erie County jail after pleading guilty to misdemeanor charges and was briefly detained by Border Patrol, who deemed him ineligible for deportation but did not inform his family of his release.
• Details about Shah Alam’s health and final days remain limited due to confidentiality of the autopsy report; advocates describe his death as preventable and reflective of systemic failures in protecting vulnerable individuals.