• A nearly blind Rohingya refugee, Nurul Amin Shah Alam, found dead after being released by US Border Patrol.
• Authorities have opened a homicide investigation following his body discovery in Buffalo.
• Buffalo Mayor describes his death as a preventable result of inhumane decision-making by federal immigration authorities.
• Shah Alam's family expresses grief and concern over the lack of communication regarding his whereabouts after release.
• US Border Patrol claims they provided a courtesy ride to a coffee shop deemed a safe location.

A nearly blind Rohingya refugee, Nurul Amin Shah Alam, 56, was found dead on a street in Buffalo, New York, after being released by US Border Patrol agents on February 19. Shah Alam had been missing since his release from county jail, where he had been held for almost a year awaiting trial. Police located his body on Tuesday evening, prompting ongoing investigations into the circumstances surrounding his death, according to SCMP, Reuters, and Al Jazeera.

Buffalo Mayor Sean Ryan stated that Shah Alam's death was a result of "inhumane" decisions made by federal immigration authorities, emphasizing that a vulnerable man—blind and unable to speak English—was left alone on a frigid night without guidance to a safer environment. Ryan described the handling of his case by US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) as unprofessional and negligent, according to SCMP and Reuters.

Following his arrest last year due to misconceptions during interactions with police, Shah Alam was released under a plea deal. His son, Mohamad Faisal, revealed that family members were not informed about where he was dropped off after being released by US Border Patrol, leading to increasing concern over his safety. Faisal stated that when his father did not comprehend police instructions, he was arrested for carrying a curtain rod, which he used as a walking aid, according to Reuters, and Al Jazeera.

In their defense, the CBP stated that Shah Alam was dropped off at a coffee shop, which they claimed was determined to be a "warm, safe location" near his last address. They further asserted he showed no signs of needing special assistance. However, temperatures in Buffalo were well below freezing at the time, raising serious questions about the adequacy of this decision. His death has led to calls for investigations by multiple US representatives, who highlight the need for accountability in dealing with vulnerable individuals, according to SCMP, Reuters, and Al Jazeera.