In brief
Steven Tendo, a Ugandan minister seeking asylum in the U.S., was detained by ICE in Shelburne, Vermont, while handling a routine check-in. Known for his previous experiences of torture and persecution in Uganda, Tendo faces potential deportation that many consider a death sentence. His detention has sparked outrage among local advocates and political leaders, who demand his release pending further legal action.
Steven Tendo, a Ugandan minister and nursing assistant who moved to Vermont in 2021 seeking asylum, was apprehended by federal immigration agents outside a health care facility on Wednesday. According to advocates from Migrant Justice, Tendo's detention raises fears of imminent deportation despite being allowed to live and work in Vermont freely prior to this event. After his apprehension, he was taken to an ICE facility in New Hampshire. Concerns about his potential removal are pressing, given that Tendo fled Uganda due to severe persecution and torture, including life-threatening experiences that he has detailed in past accounts. Vermont's political representatives have expressed their outrage over his detention and are calling for immediate action to prevent his deportation. Tendo’s legal team is actively pursuing avenues to challenge his detention.
