DHS Claim Contradicted by Video: Blind Refugee Found Dead After Being Abandoned in Buffalo

Surveillance footage has emerged contradicting claims made by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) regarding the circumstances surrounding the death of Nurul Amin Shah Alam, a 56-year-old nearly blind Rohingya refugee. Alam was found dead in Buffalo, New York, days after being released from jail and allegedly dropped off by Border Patrol agents at a closed Tim Hortons donut shop.

Contradictory Footage

Video obtained by the Buffalo-based outlet Investigative Post shows a white van, identified as a Border Patrol vehicle, arriving at the Tim Hortons at approximately 8:18 pm Eastern Time on February 19, 2026 – more than an hour after the store, excluding the drive-thru window, had closed for the night. Common Dreams reports that Alam is seen exiting the van and attempting to enter the locked building before wandering across the parking lot. The van departed less than a minute after dropping him off.

DHS Claims Challenged

Following Alam’s death, a DHS spokesperson stated that agents had “offered him a courtesy ride, which he chose to accept to a coffee shop” deemed a “warm, safe location near his last known address.” They also asserted that Alam “showed no signs of distress, mobility issues, or disabilities requiring special assistance.” CNN details this account.

However, the Investigative Post footage and accounts from those familiar with Alam’s case directly contradict these claims. Alam was nearly blind, spoke little English, and relied on a walking stick. Yahoo News highlights the discrepancy between the DHS statement and the reality of the situation.

Arrest and Release

Alam was initially detained at the Erie County Holding Center in February 2025 after being mistakenly reported to police for swinging a curtain rod – used as a walking stick – in a “menacing manner.” Newsweek reports that police body camera footage shows Alam complying with officers’ requests to drop the stick, and was subsequently Tasered and tackled. He pleaded guilty to trespassing and possession of a weapon to avoid immigration detention, despite a detainer being issued by Border Patrol.

Calls for Investigation

The circumstances surrounding Alam’s death have prompted widespread criticism and calls for a full investigation. Buffalo Mayor Sean Ryan stated that Border Patrol should have returned Alam to the Erie County Holding Center, where his family could have been contacted. Family friends have questioned why agents didn’t drop him off at his known address or return him to the jail.

Refugees International has condemned Border Patrol’s “abandonment” of Alam, noting his history as a Rohingya refugee who survived violence and persecution in Myanmar and was resettled in the U.S. In 2024. The organization also referenced the U.S. Government’s 2022 determination that the Myanmar military committed genocide against the Rohingya people.

Ongoing Investigation

The Buffalo Police Department’s homicide detectives are currently investigating the events leading up to Alam’s death. The Erie County Medical Examiner has conducted an autopsy, but the cause of death remains under investigation.