Demand Transparency. Demand Accountability.
Nurul Amin Shah Alam came to the United States seeking safety. Instead, his life ended under deeply troubling and unanswered circumstances in Buffalo.
A nearly blind Rohingya refugee, Nurul Amin was last known to be in the custody of the Erie County Sheriff’s Office before being transferred to U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Reports indicate he was later dropped off alone, at night, at a closed location, without notification to his family or legal representatives, and without regard for his disability.
Days later, he was found dead. We need answers as to how this happened.
What We’re Calling For
We, the undersigned, call on the Erie County Legislature to immediately hold a public hearing with the Erie County Sheriff’s Office to:
- Fully explain the policies and procedures used when detaining foreign-born individuals
- Clarify when and why individuals are transferred to federal agencies
- Provide a complete and transparent timeline of Nurul Amin Shah Alam’s custody and release
- Identify failures in communication and responsibility across agencies
- Ensure safeguards are implemented so this never happens again
Why This Matters
Detainer requests from federal immigration authorities are not mandates, they are voluntary. Yet, in this case, local officials chose to cooperate in a way that may have directly contributed to a tragic and preventable loss of life.
No one, regardless of where they come from, should be abandoned without care, without communication, and without protection. Our community deserves answers.
Sign the Petition
Add your name to demand transparency and accountability.