A partially blind man was found dead after being released by border patrol miles from his home.
Nurul Amin Shah Alam disappeared on February 19 after being released from Erie County Jail and taken by US border patrol agents to a coffee shop, where he was left.
Five days later, Buffalo Police Department confirmed that Mr Shah Alam was found dead at around 8.30pm, roughly four miles from the coffee shop.
Police have since said an investigation is underway to establish what happened in the period between his release and his death.
“Homicide detectives are investigating the circumstances and timeframe of events leading up to his death, following his release from custody.”
The situation has prompted anger and questions from the public about why a man described as nearly blind and with limited English was left alone under those circumstances.
Buffalo Mayor Sean Ryan criticised US Customs and Border Protection, describing the actions as “unprofessional and inhumane,” and said the death could have been avoided.
“A vulnerable man – nearly blind and unable to speak English – was left alone on a cold winter night with no known attempt to leave him in a safe, secure location. That decision from US Customs and Border Protection was unprofessional and inhumane,”
He added that Customs and Border Patrol should ‘answer for why and how this happened’.
According to Buffalo city spokesperson Nick Beiling, the Erie County Medical Examiner determined Mr Shah Alam’s death was related to underlying health issues, and ruled out homicide and exposure.
Mr Shah Alam had been detained after going for a walk while using a curtain rod as a walking aid.
His son, Mohamad Faisal, said Mr Shah Alam wandered onto private property and, when approached by agents, did not understand instructions to drop the rod before he was arrested.
In a statement, a US CBP spokesperson said agents determined Mr Shah Alam had entered the US on December 24 2024 as a refugee and was “not amenable to removal”.
“Border Patrol agents offered him a courtesy ride, which he chose to accept to a coffee shop, determined to be a warm, safe location near his last known address, rather than be released directly from the Border Patrol station.
“He showed no signs of distress, mobility issues or disabilities requiring special assistance.”
Speaking to Reuters, Faisal said:“Nobody told me or my family or attorney where my dad was dropped off.”