Kennedy, Ranking Member Thompson, Homeland Security Dems Demand DHS Cooperate with Homicide Investigation into Death of Nurul Amin Shah Alam

After Thorough Review, AG James Determined her Office Lacked Authority to Prosecute, Referred Case to Erie County DA BUFFALO, N.Y. – Standing feet from where Mr. Nurul Amin Shah Alam was found, Congressman Tim Kennedy (NY-26) was joined today by House Committee on Homeland Security Ranking Member Bennie G. Thompson (MS-02), Border Security Subcommittee Ranking Member Lou Correa (CA-46), and Rep. Nellie Pou (NJ-09) to demand that the Department of Homeland Security fully comply with the Erie County District Attorney’s investigation into the death of Mr. Shah Alam. Shah Alam was a Rohingya refugee with legal status who was found dead in Buffalo in February after being released from DHS custody. In April, the Erie County Medical Examiner determined Shah Alam’s death to be a homicide and an investigation remains ongoing. In a letter sent this week to DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin, Kennedy and Thompson demanded the Department turn over any and all information requested by Erie County law enforcement, arguing that DHS has a legal and moral obligation to cooperate with a local homicide investigation within the District Attorney’s jurisdiction. In their letter, they noted that there has been a clear pattern by the Department to obfuscate facts and block meaningful oversight. Despite multiple letters as well as several instances of questioning by members of Congress on the Homeland Security Committee and other committees, all inquiries have been met with silence. “It has been more than six months since Nurul Amin Shah Alam died after DHS left him, blind and disabled, outside of a closed coffee shop in the middle of winter without the proper footwear or clothing needed for the Buffalo climate and no way to call for help,” said Congressman Kennedy. “The Erie County Medical Examiner has ruled his death a homicide, yet DHS still won’t hand over a single meaningful record. Not to my office, not to Attorney General James, and not to the Erie County District Attorney. Simply put, they are obstructing the pursuit of justice by local law enforcement. Mr. Shah Alam’s family deserves to see justice served by our legal system. I won’t stop demanding it until DHS complies.” “A man died after being released from DHS custody, and his family deserves to know what exactly happened. DHS does not get to run out the clock and hope folks stop asking questions,” said Ranking Member Thompson. “If DHS has nothing to hide, then they need to turn over the records and cooperate fully with the Erie County law enforcement. It is that simple.” “DHS dropped off a blind, disabled man outside a closed coffee shop in the dead of winter in New York with no coat and no call to his family. Six months later, there is an ongoing homicide investigation into his death, and DHS won’t cooperate. His family deserves answers. DHS owes Erie County the truth,” said Congressman Correa. “Nurul Amin Shah Alam’s death was a tragic injustice that the Department of Homeland Security wants to sweep under the rug,” said Congresswoman Pou (NJ-09). “As Members of Congress, we have taken an oath to act in the best interest of the American people, however, consistent efforts from the Department of Homeland Security undermine this crucial work. I am proud to join Congressman Kennedy here in Buffalo to make clear that we will never forget what happened to Mr. Shah Alam and we will never stop fighting for justice for his family and this community.” On February 19, 2026, DHS agents released Shah Alam, who was disabled, largely blind, and spoke little to no English, outside a closed Tim Hortons in Buffalo’s Black Rock neighborhood without proper footwear or appropriate clothing for Buffalo’s winter weather, and without notifying his family or attorney. He was reported missing and was found dead on February 24, miles from where he was released. DHS initially claimed he had been dropped off at a “warm, safe location” and showed no signs of distress, which has since been proven to be false by video evidence. Kennedy, Thompson, and their colleagues have since sent multiple oversight letters to DHS. Kennedy directly questioned Secretary Mullin on the topic as well, and was met with hostility. To date, no substantive response has been received. Attorney General James opened her own inquiry into the death, but has since reported that CBP has declined to share information and records, and she has determined that proper jurisdiction lies with the Erie County District Attorney. Kennedy introduced the DHS Release Transparency Act in response to Shah Alam’s death, which would require ICE and CBP to notify a detainee’s designated point of contact before releasing them from custody. Full text of the letter here . ###