A 56-year-old nearly blind refugee from Myanmar was found dead in Buffalo after being released from U.S. Border Patrol custody, according to news reports.

Nurul Amin Shah Alam, who could not speak English or use a phone, was discovered approximately four miles from where he was reportedly released by Border Patrol agents. The refugee had visual impairments that severely limited his ability to navigate independently.

According to reports, Shah Alam had spent nearly a year in jail before being transferred to Border Patrol custody. His country of origin, Myanmar, has been experiencing ongoing civil unrest and violence since a military coup in 2021, leading many residents to seek refuge in other countries.

The circumstances surrounding Shah Alam's release and subsequent death remain unclear. Border Patrol procedures typically involve coordination with local authorities or organizations when releasing individuals, particularly those with special needs or vulnerabilities.

The incident has raised questions about protocols for handling refugees with disabilities or language barriers in the immigration system. Federal immigration authorities have not yet released an official statement regarding the case.

The discovery occurred in Buffalo, a city in western New York that sits along the U.S.-Canada border and has historically been a crossing point for asylum seekers and refugees entering the United States.