Death of Rohingya Refugee Left by Border Patrol Ruled a Homicide
The death of Nurul Amin Shah Alam, a 56-year-old Rohingya refugee from Myanmar, has been ruled a homicide by the Erie County Medical Examiner’s Office. Shah Alam, who was visually impaired, was left by U.S. Border Patrol agents in the parking lot of a Tim Hortons in Buffalo, New York, on a cold winter night. He was found dead five days later. The cause of death was determined to be complications from a perforated duodenal ulcer, precipitated by hypothermia and dehydration. The ruling of homicide indicates that the death resulted from another person's actions or inaction, but does not necessarily imply criminal liability. Shah Alam's family was not informed of his release from custody, and his death has sparked calls for accountability and justice from immigrant advocates and local officials. 
