Community activism has surged in Buffalo’s East Side following the death of Nurul Amin Shah Alam, a Rohingya refugee, prompting a call for systemic change and legal protection for immigrants. Alam, a 56-year-old who struggled with mental health issues and spoke no English, died after being abandoned outside a closed café by federal immigration agents during a harsh winter. His tragic fate has ignited fear and anger within the local Rohingya community, leading to demands for a New York state law that would protect immigrants from deportation and enhance their rights.
A Community in Mourning
The chilling circumstances surrounding Alam’s death have reverberated throughout the Rohingya community in Buffalo. After spending months in detention due to a confusing encounter with local law enforcement, he was released in an isolated area, far from the support structures of his community. His death, just days later, has left many feeling vulnerable and anxious about their safety.
Assemblyman Jonathan Rivera has noted a marked change in behaviour among his immigrant constituents, with many opting to travel in groups for fear of leaving their homes. Azimah Jalil, co-founder of the Rohingya Empowerment Community (REC), expressed her personal fears for her own family, reflecting on the trauma of her community’s history of violence and persecution in Myanmar. “What if what happened to Amin happened to my dad?” she worried, highlighting the pervasive unease that has taken hold since Alam’s passing.
Mobilising for Change
In the wake of this tragedy, the Rohingya community has shifted from a historically cautious stance toward state institutions to one of active engagement and advocacy. They are rallying behind the New York for All Act, which aims to prevent local law enforcement from collaborating with federal immigration agencies. This legislative push is a direct response to the systemic failures that contributed to Alam’s death.
The REC has emerged as a vital hub for this grassroots movement. Established just three months before Alam’s death, it has quickly become a focal point for community organisation. Inside its walls, individuals once focused solely on survival are now mobilising for political action. Jalil and her husband, Imran Fazal, have made it their mission to empower their fellow Rohingya, facilitating everything from health insurance sign-ups to political rallies.
Fazal, who worked tirelessly to gather support for Alam during his detention, articulated the urgency of their mission. “I cannot sleep, and I cannot stay silent knowing that many of our immigrant, refugee and asylum-seeking brothers and sisters are suffering,” he stated passionately at a recent rally.
The Rohingya Experience
The plight of the Rohingya people is one of profound suffering and resilience. Described by the United Nations as the most persecuted minority globally, the Rohingya have faced systemic oppression and violence in Myanmar, where they have been rendered stateless since 1982. Their exclusion from citizenship has left them without basic rights, leading many to flee to other countries, including the United States.
The unique challenges faced by the Rohingya community in Buffalo are compounded by language barriers and cultural dislocation. Their language, an oral tradition with no widely accepted written form, complicates communication and access to essential services. Alam’s son, Mohammad Faisal Nurul Amin, emphasised the communication failures that occurred during his father’s detention, underscoring the systemic flaws in the treatment of refugees.
Building a Support Network
The REC has become a beacon of hope for over 800 clients in just five months, providing direct assistance to those navigating the complexities of asylum applications and emergency situations. Jalil and Fazal operate the centre largely out of their own finances, relying on the community’s support and volunteer efforts. Their approach prioritises immediate problem-solving over bureaucratic processes, a necessity for a community that has historically faced barriers to their rights and recognition.
As the New York for All Act remains a central topic in ongoing budget negotiations, the Rohingya community is seizing this moment to assert their agency and influence. Fazal’s statements reveal the depth of their resolve: “As genocide survivors, we have endured immense hardship across multiple countries due to our statelessness. We never imagined that we would still have to live in fear – worried about police encounters or feeling confined to our homes.”
Why it Matters
The activism surrounding Nurul Amin Shah Alam’s death represents a significant turning point for the Rohingya community in Buffalo. Their push for the New York for All Act not only seeks to ensure legal protections for immigrants but also embodies a broader struggle for dignity, recognition, and the right to exist without fear. This is a critical moment for a community that has long been silenced and marginalized; as they mobilise for change, their voices signal a demand for justice that extends far beyond their local context.
