Nurul Amin Shah Alam: Refugee’s death after release by US immigration authorities ruled homicide
nurul amin shah alam died of complications tied to hypothermia and dehydration after federal agents left him outside a closed coffee shop in Buffalo, New York, county medical officials announced Wednesday evening ET. The nearly blind, 56-year-old Rohingya refugee was found on a street five days after he was dropped off; the autopsy labeled the manner of death a homicide. Local prosecutors and state officials opened reviews and demanded accountability.
What investigators say and key facts
The Erie County Medical Examiner concluded the cause of death was a perforated duodenal ulcer precipitated by hypothermia and dehydration, and that negligent acts or omissions or inaction were factors in the manner of death, the medical examiner’s office stated at a news conference Wednesday evening ET. Dr. Gale R. Burstein, Erie County Department of Health commissioner, called the ulcer “basically a stress ulcer” and said it was precipitated by severe stress from exposure to cold and lack of fluids.
the body was discovered on Feb. 24, five days after Border Patrol agents had taken the man to a Tim Hortons in Buffalo and left him there on a frigid night. The man, who came to the United States from Myanmar in 2024 and was identified as a Rohingya refugee, was described by city officials as nearly blind and unable to speak English. The federal agency involved characterized the ride to the coffee shop as a “courtesy ride” and contended the death was not linked to Border Patrol actions.
Nurul Amin Shah Alam: Reactions from officials and agencies
“This was basically a stress ulcer, ” Dr. Gale R. Burstein, Erie County Department of Health commissioner, said at the news conference. “This is actually precipitated by body’s physiologic response to severe stress, and that stress was felt to be hypothermia, being in very cold temperatures and dehydration, so no access to liquids. “
New York Governor Kathy Hochul called the circumstances “cruel” and “inhumane” and urged that the officers involved be held accountable, saying, “He was a blind man who could not speak English left at a closed coffee shop with slippers on on a cold, cold night in Buffalo, ” and adding that the actions “should shock the conscience of every American. ” Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz said the death “was one that we believe could have been prevented. ” Buffalo Mayor Sean Ryan described the man as “a vulnerable man – nearly blind and unable to speak English. “
A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson criticized the homicide ruling as “another hoax being peddled” and stated, “This death had NOTHING to do with Border Patrol, ” while noting that the man could not be deported because of his refugee status. Erie County District Attorney and New York State Attorney General offices are reviewing the case.
What happens next
Local prosecutors are investigating the circumstances that led to the death, and state-level review is underway; the medical designation of homicide is a clinical label that does not alone establish criminal intent or guilt. The autopsy findings, the timing of the release and the location where the man was left will be central to any criminal or administrative inquiries scheduled to follow the county review process Wednesday evening ET.
Investigators and elected officials have signaled they will press for answers and accountability as they review records, witness statements and agency actions in the days ahead. The unfolding inquiries will determine whether charges or disciplinary actions are pursued as attention remains fixed on the death of nurul amin shah alam.
