US promised safety. A nearly blind refugee died cold and alone.
Airfind news item
By Khin Mai Aung
Published on March 19, 2026.
Nurul Amin Shah Alam, a nearly blind, limited English-proficient refugee legally in the United States, was found dead outside a local cafe in Buffalo, New York in February. Shah Alam was detained by U.S. Customs and Border Protection and was not notified of his release. His next of kin were not notified and he was later found dead. This incident represents another systemic failure in the US's treatment of immigrants and refugees. The author, originally from Myanmar, criticizes President Donald Trump's administration for ending temporary protected status for individuals from Myanmar. Despite this, she argues that the country of adoption may not ultimately be safer or more inclusive than its countries of origin. She urges the New York legislature to pass the All New York All All Act, which would prohibit sharing sensitive state information with federal immigration authorities, and prohibit collaboration with local authorities.
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