Detained Ugandan Asylum Seeker Faces Deportation Threat in Vermont

Fri Feb 06 2026 01:16:16 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Steven Tendo, a Ugandan minister seeking asylum in the U.S., was detained by ICE in Vermont. His advocates express grave concerns over his potential deportation amidst fears of returning to a violent past.

Steven Tendo, a Ugandan minister and asylum seeker detained by U.S. immigration authorities in Vermont, faces possible deportation. Advocates highlight his history of torture in Uganda and the need for sanctuary in the U.S. Amid ongoing legal challenges, Tendo's community rallies in support, voicing fears of his return to a deadly situation.

Steven Tendo, a Ugandan minister and nursing assistant who moved to Vermont in 2021 while seeking asylum, was detained by federal immigration agents on Wednesday morning. According to reports from his union and the advocacy group Migrant Justice, Tendo was apprehended outside a healthcare facility where he works.

Will Lambek, an organizer with Migrant Justice, stated that Tendo was taken by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and potentially other federal agencies. Following his detention, Tendo was transferred to an ICE hold facility in Manchester, New Hampshire, where he remained as of Wednesday evening.

Concerns loom regarding Tendo's deportation back to Uganda, where he has reportedly suffered severe torture at the hands of government forces. His legal team is actively pursuing challenges to seek his release, emphasizing the urgency of his situation.

Tendo's asylum application was previously denied in 2019, despite enduring horrific conditions in Uganda, including torture and threats to his life due to his advocacy work. His status in the U.S. had been recognized for several years while he reported regularly to ICE until this abrupt detention.

Wednesday's events prompted a rally by approximately 50 supporters outside ICE's St. Albans office in Vermont, expressing solidarity with Tendo and chanting, “No hate! No fear! Immigrants are welcome here!” Tendo's case has drawn attention from numerous human rights organizations and political figures calling for humane treatment and protection under the asylum system.

With the clock ticking, Tendo's community awaits further developments as his legal team fights against a potential return to a place they deem a 'death sentence' for him.