The Department of Homeland Security challenged the narrative that Border Patrol played a role in the recent death of a partially blind, non-English-speaking refugee from Myanmar in New York.
Nurul Amin Shah Alam, 56, was found dead on Feb. 24 in Buffalo after Border Patrol agents dropped him off at a closed Tim Hortons coffee shop five days earlier during the winter. The immigration agency briefly detained him at a local jail, where he spent about a year on felony charges. He pleaded guilty to two lesser misdemeanor charges prior to his release.
On Wednesday, the Erie County Medical Examiner’s Office ruled the “manner” of Shah Alam’s death a homicide. He died of complications of a perforated duodenal ulcer “precipitated by hypothermia and dehydration.”
DHS disagreed with that assessment, refusing to take responsibility for the refugee’s death.
“This death had NOTHING to do with Border Patrol. Mr. Shah Alam passed almost A WEEK AFTER he was released by Border Patrol — he also had a serial violent criminal rap sheet,” the department posted on X on Thursday before listing his extensive criminal history, which included charges for assaulting a first responder with intent to cause injury and criminal possession of a weapon.
State and local leaders were appalled by the man’s death. Their outrage was further fueled by the medical examiner’s determination.
“The cruelty and inhumanity of these actions should shock the conscience of every American,” Gov. Kathy Hochul (D-NY) said in a video message. “Every individual involved in the death of Mr. Shah Alam must be held fully accountable.”
Hochul revealed she spoke with Erie County District Attorney Michael Keane, who assured her that his office is investigating the matter in coordination with the Buffalo Police Department.
“I want to make sure that there is no interference by ICE agents, Border Patrol, or anyone at Homeland Security,” the governor added. “I want answers, and I want justice for his family.”
Hochul discussed the incident in her meeting with White House border czar Tom Homan last month, giving him a list of names of the refugee’s family members so that the federal government could provide visas for them to mourn together per the widow’s request.
Hochul met with the grieving wife and sons to express her condolences.
HOCHUL TELLS HOMAN ‘NO MORE’ ICE RAIDS AND DETENTION CENTERS IN MEETING WITH BORDER CZAR
“This should not have happened,” Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz said of the tragedy. He did not answer whether Border Patrol was responsible for his death.
Customs and Border Protection previously said Shah Alam “showed no signs of distress, mobility issues, or disabilities requiring special assistance” when agents left him alone at Tim Hortons on Feb. 19. He was reported missing on Feb. 22. His family did not know his whereabouts at the time.
