By Breaking Editor 
Nurul Amin Shah Alam, a nearly blind Rohingya refugee from Burma, was initially detained by ICE for verification of his legal status. Amin had longstanding refugee status, but was also clearly medically incapacitated. Thus, when he was left at a random Tim Horton’s, Amin Shah Alam had no means to contact loved ones.
Amin Shah Alam was later found dead after being released by U.S. Border Patrol into Buffalo, New York. The 56-year-old, who suffered from severe medical conditions and did not speak English, was left by ICE agents at a coffee shop far from his home during extremely cold weather. His family had not been notified of his release. Once he was found unresponsive, witnesses began to piece together how the actions of Border Patrol and the lack of support for his vulnerabilities (as well as the fact that he shouldn’t have been detained in the first place) led to his death.
Alam was reported missing for six days before his body was discovered in downtown Buffalo, further compounding the tragedy. Nurul Amin Shah Alam has been confirmed dead by Buffalo police. He was found Tuesday evening downtown after he’d been missing for 6 days.
Activists and community leaders are calling for answers and demanding that the incident not be forgotten. Comments like “Say his name! NURUL AMIN SHAH ALAM” and “His blood is on border patrol’s hands” reflect a growing demand for systemic changes to prevent further tragedies among the immigrant population.
As details continue to emerge, advocates are mobilizing to hold responsible parties accountable and to call attention to the broader implications of neglecting those in vulnerable positions within the immigration system. The mourning for Alam not only honors his memory but seeks urgent reforms in policies surrounding the treatment of immigrants. The community awaits a thorough investigation into this heartbreaking incident.