Death of Rohingya Refugee After Abandonment by CBP Requires Investigation

Statement from Refugees International Director for Africa, Asia, and the Middle East Daniel P. Sullivan:

“Refugees International is deeply saddened by the needless death of Nurul Amin Shah Alam, a nearly blind Rohingya refugee who had been detained by U.S. Border Patrol agents. After determining he was not deportable, the agents dropped him off in the parking lot of a closed donut shop miles from his home during the middle of a Buffalo winter evening without informing his family or lawyer of his release. Mr. Shah Alam, who spoke little English, was later found dead after going missing for several days. The actions of the U.S. Border Patrol must be thoroughly investigated.

The Rohingya people have experienced decades of persecution. In 2022, the U.S. government determined that the Myanmar military has committed genocide against the Rohingya. Mr. Shah Alam was resettled to the United States in December 2024. 

As one member of the Rohingya community told Refugees International, “His safe haven became a tragedy for him.”

The death of Shah Alam comes in the midst of ongoing violent immigration enforcement operations by CBP and ICE agents that have led to widespread abuse and neglect of legally resettled refugees as well as deaths of immigrants and American citizens alike.

Refugees International, once again, strongly condemns the Trump administration’s hateful and dehumanizing targeting of those who seek refuge. We express solidarity with Mr. Shah Alam’s family, the broader Rohingya community, and all of our neighbors who face increased uncertainty and risks of harm due to the Trump administration’s current policies.”

For more information or to schedule an interview, contact Etant Dupain at edupain@refugeesinternational.org.