February 26, 2026
Contact: media@haitianbridge.org,  Paige Censale, pcensale@haitianbridge.org

SAN DIEGO, CA — The Haitian Bridge Alliance extends its deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of Nurul Amin Shah Alam, a 56-year-old nearly blind, Rohingya refugee who survived genocide, sought safety in the United States, and was ultimately abandoned by United States Border Patrol—only to be found dead days later in downtown Buffalo.

“Our hearts are with Nurul’s family, who trusted that their loved one would be treated with basic humanity,” said Guerline Jozef, Executive Director of Haitian Bridge Alliance. “No family should learn that their father, brother, or uncle was left alone to die because the government decided his life was disposable. This is not a mistake—it is state violence rooted in racism, ableism, and cruelty.”

His death is part of a broader pattern of deadly U.S. immigration enforcement, which has led to the recent killing of two American citizens, Alex Pretti and  Renee Nicole Good    . Over the past year, federal policies have stripped protections from vulnerable populations, including actions affecting Temporary Protected Status  for Haiti and other critical humanitarian programs.

Haitian Bridge Alliance calls for:

• An immediate, independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding Mr. Shah Alam’s release and death;
• Congressional oversight hearings into Border Patrol release and transfer practices; and
• Urgent reforms to ensure no one—especially a disabled refugee—is ever abandoned again.

“We grieve with this family,” Jozef added. “And we will not allow Nurul’s life to be reduced to a footnote. His death must mark a turning point toward dignity, care, and justice for all people seeking safety.”

ABOUT HAITIAN BRIDGE ALLIANCE

Haitian Bridge Alliance (HBA), also known as “The Bridge”, is a grassroots community organization that advocates for fair and humane immigration policies, foreign policy, and provides migrants and immigrants with humanitarian, legal, and social services, with a particular focus on Black migrants, the Haitian community, women and girls, LGBTQIA+ individuals, and survivors of torture and other human rights abuses. HBA also seeks to elevate the issues unique to Black migrants and builds solidarity and collective movement toward policy change. Anpil men chay pa lou (“Many hands make the load light”). Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook: @haitianbridge