The disability community is facing the full weight of the Trump Administration. Photo: Dawit Tibebu via Pixabay
This week we have a whole host of stories including multiple pieces focused on ICE’s treatment of disabled people, a pop culture controversy, and a serious case of pushback led by disabled American veterans. Fitting given that we’re coming off of Disability Day of Mourning.
Nearly blind refugee found dead in New York days after immigration agents dropped him at a coffee shop alone, officials say
Hanna Park, Alisha Ebrahimji, Elise Hammond, CNN
This piece highlights the story of Nurul Amin Shah Alam, a Disabled refugee in Buffalo who was found dead on February 24 after being reported missing less than a week earlier. How did Shah Alam get there? He was released after a plea deal and driven to a coffee shop. Someone with personal knowledge of the situation that led to his arrest has said that Shah Alam was misunderstood by police after walking onto private property. This resulted in a misdemeanor plea deal, but not before a lengthy stay in jail. According to reports, his family was not told that he was released.
The response has been forceful from local officials and the case highlights the heightened risk Disabled immigrants and people of color face when confronted by federal officials. Legal leaders, like New York’s attorney general, have already announced that they are investigating what options they may have in order to hold the administration accountable.
From the Story: “The Border Patrol officers had no protocol of what to do with a disabled man who doesn’t speak English, who is confused and lost. And you know what they did? They dropped him at a closed coffee shop. That’s why we do not cooperate with ICE, Homeland Security and Border Patrol.” — Sean Ryan, mayor of Buffalo
The racial slur incident that’s defining this year’s BAFTAs
CBC Arts
In possibly the biggest disability related story of the last two weeks, the British Academy Film Awards, commonly known as the BAFTAs, saw widespread controversy. During the ceremony, while Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo were on stage, a racial slur could be heard being yelled from the audience. That slur would turn out to come from the mouth of John Davidson, a noted Tourette Syndrome advocate who was nominated for an award related to his film, I Swear. According to reports, Davidson left the room shortly afterwards.
Reactions have been split on social media, with some pointing to the involuntary nature of tics and others highlighting the harm caused when racial slurs are hurled at Black people, regardless of intent. The BBC chose not to cut the slur when the program was played on tape delay, causing some additional consternation online. The issue has opened up dialogue about how disabled can cause harm, unintended or not, and what it means to take accountability when these sorts of events occur.
From the Story: “…the apology from the broadcaster has rung hollow for some viewers given that the organization had time to edit the broadcast, and chose to do so in instances such as censoring an acceptance speech that voiced support of Palestine, but failed to remove the offensive language.”
Department of Veterans Affairs Has Zero Plans of ‘Ever Doing Anything’ About Disability Rule
Stephen Silver, 1945
In a vocal rebuke of the Trump administration, veterans support organizations have taken the department of veterans affairs to task publicly after a new rule would see veterans’ disability benefits be based on effectiveness of treatment rather than severity of impairment. The department has “frozen” the rules, and some experts are expecting to see it revoked after the backlash, but there is concern that this administration is keenly interested in reducing supports for Bisabled veterans.
One of the public figures who came out against the department’s decision was noted veteran and politician Tammy Duckworth, who lambasted the administration for characterizing frustrated service members as spreading disinformation.
How this all plays out remains to be seen.
From The Story: “It is unclear if and how VA is implementing this dramatic change and how it will impact the more than 6 million veterans currently receiving disability compensation, most of whom are taking at least one medication.” — Colman Nee, Disabled American Veterans
Minneapolis woman whom Ilhan Omar took to State of the Union needed medical care after arrest
Frank Thorp V, Inshara Ali and Raquel Coronell Uribe, NBC News
Here at DJA we’ve covered Aliya Rahman before, her arrest, and the subsequent backlash after being detained by ICE on the way to a medical appointment. However, in the midst of the political theatre that is the State of the Union, Rahman was invited as a guest of democratic congresswoman Ilhan Omar. After standing in a silent protest, Rahman was arrested again and it appears she had to receive medical treatment afterwards.
Rahman’s arrest, and her presence at the State of the Union, highlights the outsized harm this administration is perpetuating against Disabled people of color and the large share of the work Disabled people of color have done to advocate for the community.
From the Story: “There are only two things you can do at the State of the Union, and they are sit down and stand up. All kinds of people were standing up all night. Me, too.” — Aliya Rahman
More DJA Coverage
Disability Day of Mourning, an annual vigil, is shining light on the...
By
February 27, 2026
Every day should be a celebration of marginalized identities. But as Black History Month draws to a close,...
By
February 26, 2026
President Donald Trump. Credit: Ryan Johnson, Wikimedia In the coming weeks, Donald Trump will address the nation...
By
February 17, 2026
