Ugandan Minister and Nurse Detained by ICE in Vermont Amid Asylum Concerns

Fri Feb 06 2026 00:00:35 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Steven Tendo, a Ugandan minister and nursing assistant seeking asylum in the U.S., was detained by ICE outside his workplace, raising fears of imminent deportation back to Uganda, where he was previously tortured.

Steven Tendo, a Ugandan minister and nurse who sought asylum in Vermont, was detained by ICE outside a healthcare facility where he works. Tendo's lawyers and advocacy groups fear that his detention may lead to deportation despite previous legal challenges. Tendo fled Uganda after facing severe persecution, including torture. Support has emerged from local lawmakers and the community as fears grow over his safety if returned to Uganda.

Steven Tendo, a Ugandan minister and nursing assistant who moved to Vermont in 2021 while seeking asylum, was detained in Shelburne by federal immigration agents on Wednesday morning, according to information from his union and the advocacy group, Migrant Justice.

Tendo was apprehended by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) outside the healthcare facility where he works. Will Lambek, an organizer with Migrant Justice, indicated that other federal agencies may have been involved as well.

Following his detention, Tendo was transported to an ICE facility in Manchester, New Hampshire. By Wednesday evening, he was in custody at the Strafford County Jail in Dover, which ICE utilizes for holding detainees in New England.

Tendo’s legal representatives and local advocates have expressed significant concern regarding the possibility of his deportation, although it remains uncertain. They are actively pursuing legal measures in New Hampshire with the aim of securing his release.

Originally scheduled for a check-in with ICE on Friday, it was unclear whether Tendo’s detention was associated with that appointment. The union, representing staff at the University of Vermont Medical Center, stated on social media that they were unaware of any criminal activity that might have led to Tendo's arrest.

Tendo fled Uganda in 2018, escaping horrific torture and persecution because of an advocacy group he founded. His asylum application was ultimately denied, leading to fears of deportation back to a country where he faces severe threats to his life.

Vermont lawmakers, including Rep. Becca Balint, Sen. Peter Welch, and Sen. Bernie Sanders, expressed their horror at Tendo's detention, emphasizing his status as a valued community member and a victim needing protection.

On Wednesday, a rally was organized outside ICE’s St. Albans facility by about 50 supporters of Tendo, who chanted slogans against hate and in support of immigrant rights, highlighting the community's backing in this contentious situation.

This report reflects a continuously evolving narrative around immigration and asylum-seeking individuals in the U.S., particularly regarding human rights and the treatment of those fleeing persecution.