Steven Tendo, a Ugandan minister and nursing assistant who sought asylum in Vermont, was detained by federal immigration agents on Wednesday morning. According to his union and the advocacy group Migrant Justice, Tendo was taken by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) outside the health facility where he is employed.
After his arrest in Shelburne, Tendo was transported to an ICE facility in Manchester, New Hampshire. As of the latest reports, he remains in custody at the Strafford County Jail in Dover, New Hampshire. Advocates have raised significant concerns that Tendo could face deportation shortly, although legal challenges are being pursued in New Hampshire for his release.
Tendo's detention aligns with a scheduled ICE check-in that was planned for Friday, leaving many uncertain whether his detention was timed with this appearance. Support from local advocates suggests that he had no prior criminal record before his detention.
Having fled Uganda in 2018 due to severe torture linked to a political organization he founded, Tendo's asylum claims have faced numerous legal struggles. Despite years of court battles, his asylum application was ultimately denied citing inconsistencies in his claims. His descriptions of the horrors he faced in Uganda—including physical torture—have shocked many advocates and international human rights groups.
On the day of his detention, supporters rallied outside the ICE facility, demonstrating against his arrest and the treatment of immigrants in the U.S. In a statement, Vermont's congressional delegation expressed their horror over Tendo's situation, asserting that asylum seekers like him should be protected under U.S. law.
Tendo's story highlights the complexities within the current U.S. immigration system and raises critical questions about how those fleeing persecution are treated upon seeking refuge.
