CNN host Abby Phillip on Thursday shut down a prominent GOP strategist's attempt to defend a deadly deportation operation conducted by President Donald Trump's immigration forces. Earlier in the day, CNN reported that the Department of Homeland Security left a nearly-blind refugee from Myanmar named Nurul Amin Shah Alam outside of a closed Tim Hortons coffee shop in Buffalo, New York, which was about five miles from the man's home. He was dropped off at the site after being released from a county jail, and was found five days later still wearing the socks he received in jail. Federal authorities had determined that Alam was not eligible for deportation when he was released from jail. The report sparked outrage, even from DHS, which sought to clarify the timeline in a social media post on X. GOP strategist Scott Jennings attempted to downplay the significance of Alam's death on "NewsNight" on Thursday. He argued that "it's reasonable to assume you're going to have individual interactions where something goes awry."Phillip shot Jennings' argument down by reminding him that Alam is dead. "I think some people would say there is a way to do this that respects human life," Phillip argued. "Respects the lives of people who are here, trying to seek a better life, trying to do the best they can, and doesn't treat them as disposable." Jennings: Do I think it's reasonable to assume you're going to have individual interactions where something goes awry, where a detail is missed… Phillip: This man is dead pic.twitter.com/X5bEwQ3uGK— Acyn (@Acyn) February 27, 2026