A 56-year-old Rohingya refugee, nearly blind and unable to speak English, was found dead in Buffalo, New York, five days after being dropped off at a doughnut shop by U.S. Border Patrol agents. The incident has triggered a wave of condemnation from local leaders and human rights advocates.
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- Arrival and Detention: Shah Alam, a legal refugee who fled genocide in Myanmar, was in the U.S. legally. In mid-February, he was taken into custody by Border Patrol due to an immigration detainer following a minor misdemeanor arrest.
- The “Courtesy Ride”: On February 19, 2026, after confirming Shah Alam’s legal status, federal agents released him. Rather than contacting his family or his lawyer, agents provided what they termed a “courtesy ride,” dropping him at a Tim Hortons on Delaware Avenue.
- The Disappearance: Despite his severe visual impairment and lack of English skills, agents left him at the coffee shop alone. He was last seen on security footage walking away from the shop into sub-freezing temperatures.
- The Discovery: Following an agonizing five-day search led by the local Rohingya community, Shah Alam’s body was found on February 24 near the KeyBank Center, roughly five miles from the drop-off point.
Accountability and Outrage
The death has sparked a fierce debate over the duty of care owed to vulnerable individuals by federal law enforcement.
| Agency/Official | Perspective |
| Buffalo City Officials | Mayor Sean Ryan described the act as “inhumane,” questioning how agents could leave a blind man in a strange neighborhood without a phone or help. |
| Border Patrol (CBP) | Maintenance of the stance that the shop was a “safe, warm location” and that agents followed standard procedures for a “non-custodial” release. |
| The Family | States that Shah Alam was clearly disabled and that leaving him was equivalent to a “death sentence.” |
Current Investigations
While initial police reports cited “natural causes,” the public and political outcry has forced a deeper look into the circumstances:
- Medical Examiner: A final toxicology and autopsy report is pending to determine if the cold played a role in his death.
- Federal Inquiry: Members of Congress, including Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, have called for an immediate investigation into Border Patrol’s release protocols.
- Legal Action: The family has expressed intent to seek justice, highlighting that as a legal refugee, Shah Alam should never have been separated from his support system in such a callous manner.
This case remains a developing story as the Buffalo community mourns a man who survived a genocide abroad only to die alone on the streets of the city he hoped would be his sanctuary.
