The recent death of a nearly blind Rohingya refugee, Nurul Amin Shah Alam, has sparked outrage and criticism towards the United States Border Protection. According to Al Jazeera, Shah Alam's body was discovered by police in Buffalo, New York on February 24th, days after being left miles away from his home by authorities upon his release from a county jail.
Many are appalled by the circumstances surrounding Shah Alam's death. The 56-year-old had been missing since February 19th, when Border Patrol agents dropped him off at a closed coffee shop in below-freezing temperatures. U.S. Customs and Border Protection claims that Shah Alam was offered a ride to a nearby coffee shop, but surveillance footage tells a different story.
In the video, obtained by J. Dale Shoemaker, it is clear that the coffee shop was closed and locked when Shah Alam was dropped off. This raises questions about the Border Patrol's claim that they left him in a "warm, safe location." It is also concerning that neither Shah Alam's family nor their attorney were informed of his whereabouts after his release from jail.
Shah Alam's son, Mohamad Faisal, shared that his family are Rohingya refugees from Myanmar and that his father was unable to read, write, or use electronic devices. This vulnerability makes it even more disturbing that he was left alone on a cold winter night with no attempt to ensure his safety.
The Mayor of Buffalo, Sean Ryan, has condemned the actions of the Border Patrol, stating that Shah Alam's death was preventable and a clear neglect of duty. He called their behavior "unprofessional and inhumane." This incident has only added to the growing concerns about the treatment of immigrants in the custody of ICE and CBP.
At least six immigrants have died while in ICE custody since the beginning of this year, causing members of Congress, such as Grace Meng, to call for a federal inquiry. New York Governor Kathy Hochul has also demanded accountability and an independent investigation, describing the situation as a "shocking breach of responsibility and basic humanity by federal enforcement."
It is a tragic and unacceptable reality that a blind father, released from federal custody, was left alone on the street and never made it back to his family. Gov. Hochul emphasized that no one should disappear at the hands of the government, calling for justice and accountability in Shah Alam's death.
