Death of refugee found after being released by Border Patrol determined to be homicide

Key Points:

• Nurul Amin Shah Alam, a nearly blind Rohingya refugee found dead in New York in February, died from a homicide caused by complications of a perforated ulcer, hypothermia, and dehydration, according to the Erie County medical examiner.
• Officials stated Shah Alam’s death was linked to severe stress and neglect, with "homicide" indicating death caused by another’s actions or omissions, but not necessarily implying criminal intent.
• Customs and Border Protection (CBP) released Shah Alam near a closed coffee shop days before his death, but denied responsibility, stating he showed no distress and that his death occurred almost a week after release.
• New York officials, including Attorney General Letitia James and Buffalo Mayor Sean Ryan, condemned CBP’s handling of Shah Alam, calling it unprofessional and inhumane, and vowed to continue investigating the circumstances.
• Shah Alam’s family was not informed of his release location, and advocates criticized CBP for abandoning a vulnerable man outside in freezing conditions without proper care or notification.