Blind Dad of 2 Is Found Dead After Being Released by Border Patrol and Left to Find His Way Home 5 Miles Away

A blind father of two has died after being taken into custody by Border Patrol officers and allegedly left miles from his home, according to reports.

Earlier this week, the Buffalo Police Department asked the public for help in locating Nurul Amin Shah Alam, a refugee from Burma who was reported missing on Sunday, Feb. 22, by his attorney.

In the days before his death, Shah Alam had been transferred to Border Patrol custody after spending several months in jail following a 2025 arrest on assault charges. Reports state that after taking him into custody, agents dropped Shah Alam — who was vision-impaired and spoke limited English — at a Tim Hortons restaurant in Buffalo on Thursday, Feb. 19.

Court records show that Shah Alam was arrested on multiple charges, including assault and criminal mischief, after an incident on Feb. 15, 2025, which reportedly resulted in minor injuries. Following his arrest, U.S. Border Patrol issued an immigration detainer.

In June 2025, Shah Alam was indicted by a grand jury on felony assault and criminal mischief charges. He later pleaded guilty to reduced charges of criminal possession of a weapon and criminal trespass. His sentencing hearing had been scheduled for March 24.

Shah Alam’s attorney argued that the criminal case began when Shah Alam became lost during a walk in 2025. According to the attorney, Shah Alam mistakenly ended up on a stranger’s porch while using a curtain rod as a walking stick. Because he did not speak English, he reportedly did not respond to officers’ commands to drop the rod.

After entering his plea, Shah Alam’s bail remained in place, and he was released from custody on Feb. 19.

The Erie County Sheriff’s Office stated that Shah Alam was booked into the Erie County Holding Center on Feb. 16, 2025, after his arrest by Buffalo police. Officials confirmed that an immigration detainer had been received from U.S. Border Patrol. Shah Alam was released on Feb. 19, 2026, after bond was posted. Border Patrol officers arrived at the Holding Center before his release process was completed.

A spokesperson for U.S. Customs and Border Protection later confirmed that Shah Alam had entered the United States as a refugee on Dec. 24, 2024, and was not subject to removal.

On Monday, Feb. 23, Buffalo police announced that Shah Alam had been found after officers responded to a report of a body on Perry Street. The Erie County Medical Examiner later identified Shah Alam as the victim.

Following his disappearance, a missing persons case was mistakenly closed when an officer believed Shah Alam was in ICE custody.

Customs and Border Protection stated that Shah Alam had accepted a “courtesy ride” from Border Patrol agents to a nearby coffee shop, which officials described as a warm and safe location near his last known address. According to the agency, Shah Alam showed no visible signs of distress or mobility issues.

Buffalo Police Department homicide detectives are now investigating the events leading up to Shah Alam’s death. An autopsy determined that his death was health-related, with exposure and homicide ruled out.

Buffalo Mayor Sean M. Ryan described the death as “preventable” and “deeply disturbing.” He criticized Border Patrol’s actions, stating that a vulnerable man who was nearly blind and unable to speak English should not have been left alone on a cold winter night.

New York Congressman Tim Kennedy also called for a full investigation, describing Shah Alam’s death as a tragic and heartbreaking loss. He stated that the public and Shah Alam’s family deserve clear answers.