The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, and its New York chapter (CAIR-NY) today called for the New York State Police to work with the Buffalo Police Department to thoroughly and transparently investigate the disappearance and subsequent death of a nearly-blind Rohingya refugee in Buffalo, New York, after border patrol agents abandoned him miles away from his home.
CAIR also called for federal authorities to investigate the conduct of border patrol agents but said that local and state law enforcement should not wait for and rely on any federal probe given the federal government’s ongoing failure to hold ICE agents accountable for abuses.
SEE ALSO: Nearly Blind Refugee Found Dead in Buffalo After Border Patrol Release – Newsweek
Nurul Amin Shah Alam’s body was found after he had been missing since February 19, when Border Patrol agents dropped him off at a coffee shop miles from his home. Shah Alam had been in custody awaiting trial on charges that were resolved with a misdemeanor plea deal. Those charges reportedly resulted from misunderstanding with police when Shah Alam went for a walk but got lost and wandered onto private property. He reportedly did not understand police commands to drop a curtain rod he was using for a walking stick.
In a joint statement, Washington, D.C., based CAIR and CAIR-NY said:
“It is unconscionable that border patrol agents would release a nearly-blind refugee in an unfamiliar area without ensuring his safety and well-being. This tragic death raises serious questions about the conduct of Border Patrol agents.
“We call for the New York State Police to work with the Buffalo Police Department to conduct a full, independent, and transparent investigation into the circumstances surrounding Mr. Shah Alam’s release and death.
“Federal authorities must also investigate the incident and the conduct of their agents, but local law enforcement must not wait for and rely on a federal probe given the Trump administration’s failure to prosecute immigration agents for their abuse in various cities.
“CAIR extends its condolences to Shah Alam’s family and the Rohingya community during this time of grief and calls on community leaders and elected officials to ensure that such a tragedy never happens again.”
CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
La misión de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.
Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn | TikTok | Website | YouTube
Do you like reading CAIR press releases and taking part in our action alerts? You can help contribute to CAIR’s work of defending civil rights and empowering American Muslims across the country by making a one-time contribution or becoming a monthly donor. Supporters like you make CAIR’s advocacy work possible and defeating Islamophobia an achievable goal. Click here to donate to CAIR.
You are receiving this email due to your interest selection from commercial media databases. If you would like to join CAIR’s media list, please sign up here: https://action.cair.com/a/newsletters — For more information, email: info@cair.com, CC ihooper@cair.com
END
CONTACT: CAIR National Deputy Director Edward Ahmed Mitchell, 404-285-9530, e-Mitchell@cair.com; CAIR Government Affairs Director Robert McCaw, 202-742-6448, rmccaw@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, ihooper@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Manager Ismail Allison, 202-770-6280, iallison@cair.com