A man from Myanmar who could not see well and did not speak English has been found dead in upstate New York. He was alone in freezing weather days after being released from federal immigration custody.
Nurul Amin Shah Alam Found Dead After Release From Immigration Custody
Nurul Amin Shah Alam, 56 was found dead on Tuesday. He was six miles from a Tim Hortons coffee shop where U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers had left him. It was very cold that week.
The mayor of Buffalo, Sean Ryan said the way Shah Alam died was “deeply disturbing”. He wants an investigation into how federal agencies handled his release.
Questions Raised Over Federal Agencies’ Handling of His Release
The Department of Homeland Security said Shah Alam had accepted a ride to the coffee shop. They said he showed no signs of problems at the time. They thought the coffee shop was an safe place.
A video shows Shah Alam walking past the coffee shop without going in. The video was taken on February 19 after the shop had closed. It was 36°F outside.
Shah Alams cause of death is not known. Buffalo police say someone called 911 on February 24 after seeing a man lying down. The person said he had been moving earlier but was not moving when she saw him again.
- Shah Alam had spent a year in local custody on charges.
- He was released on bail after reaching a deal.
- Immigration authorities wanted him because he was not a U.S. Citizen.
Police say Shah Alams lawyer reported him missing on February 22. His son said he thought his father had been, in custody since February 19.
Reuters reported that CBP released Shah Alam because he had entered the U.S. As a refugee.
Shah Alam’s family says authorities did not tell them where officials released him.
- “Nobody told me, my family, or our attorney where officials dropped off my dad,” his son, Mohamad Faisal, said.
- Faisal said his fathers arrest year was a mistake.
- Shah Alam had been using a curtain rod as a walking stick because he was nearly blind.
Body-camera footage shows Shah Alam holding two rods. He kept saying “sorry” as officers confronted him.
Faisal said his father was looking forward to seeing his family. He wanted to eat home-cooked meals.
- Local officials want answers.
- New York Attorney General Letitia James said her office is reviewing legal action.
- “Nurul Amin Shah Alam fled genocide and came to this country seeking safety ” she said.
- “Instead, tragedy cut his life short. We must never leave anyone who seeks refuge here in harm’s way.” Read More
