In brief
Steven Tendo, who has lived in Vermont as an asylum seeker since 2021 after fleeing torture in Uganda, was recently detained by ICE agents. His case has drawn significant local and national attention, with advocates fearing for his safety and potential return to a country where he experienced brutal atrocities. Tendo's detention comes ahead of a scheduled ICE check-in, and he is currently seeking legal avenues to prevent his removal.
Steven Tendo, a Ugandan minister and nursing assistant who has been seeking asylum in the U.S. since 2021, was apprehended by federal immigration agents outside a healthcare facility in Shelburne, Vermont. His detention, reported by the advocacy group Migrant Justice and his union, has raised alarms due to Tendo's history of persecution in his native Uganda.
Tendo was taken into custody by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and was later transferred to the Strafford County Jail in Dover, New Hampshire. His attorneys and supporters are seriously concerned about the possibility of his deportation, which Tendo has described as a death sentence due to the trauma he endured in Uganda.
In Uganda, Tendo was subjected to brutal treatment from government forces, leading to the loss of two fingers and significant physical and emotional scars. His asylum application was ultimately denied in 2019, although his ongoing legal battles have so far allowed him to stay in the U.S.
The detention took place just days before a scheduled check-in with ICE, and while officials have not clarified the reasons for his detention, it remains a critical moment for Tendo's future as he and his advocates are currently exploring legal options for his release.
Local support for Tendo has been strong. Vermont’s congressional delegation expressed horror at his detention, emphasizing that the asylum system is designed to protect individuals like him, who have fled persecution. Demonstrations supporting Tendo continue to gather momentum, reflecting widespread opposition to his potential deportation.
