Democrats demand DHS cooperate in investigation into Rohingya refugee's death

The short version

• Democratic lawmakers, including Representative Tim Kennedy, have demanded that DHS share records regarding the death of Nurul Amin Shah Alam, alleging the department is obstructing justice.[The Guardian]
• Shah Alam, a 56-year-old nearly blind Rohingya refugee, died after US border patrol agents left him outside a closed coffee shop without notifying his family or attorneys.[The Guardian]
• The Erie County medical examiner classified his death as a homicide resulting from ulcer complications precipitated by hypothermia and dehydration.[The Guardian]
• New York Attorney General Letitia James closed a criminal inquiry after CBP declined to provide requested records and agent identifications.[The Guardian]

Key facts

• Nurul Amin Shah Alam, a 56-year-old Rohingya refugee who was nearly blind and spoke little English, died after US border agents left him outside a closed coffee shop in Buffalo.[The Guardian]
• Shah Alam's family and attorneys were not informed of where he was taken or left, and he was found dead five days later roughly four miles away.[The Guardian]
• The Erie County medical examiner ruled Shah Alam's death a homicide caused by complications of a perforated duodenal ulcer precipitated by hypothermia and dehydration.[The Guardian]
• New York Attorney General Letitia James closed a criminal investigation into the death after US Customs and Border Protection refused to cooperate with requests for records and agent identifications.[The Guardian]
• Representative Tim Kennedy introduced the DHS Release Transparency Act in June to mandate notifications prior to detainee releases.[The Guardian]

Sources

Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.

• Democrats condemn DHS over death of Rohingya refugee abandoned by border agentsThe Guardian - World