SAINT ALBANS — Dozens of community members, religious leaders and state representatives gathered outside the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement field office in St. Albans on Wednesday to support Steven Tendo, a Ugandan asylum seeker who has been detained by federal immigration agents earlier this year.
Community turnout and concerns
The demonstration drew people from several Vermont towns, including Middlebury, Saint Johnsbury and Enosburg, according to attendees. Organizers said they were particularly worried about Tendo’s safety while in federal custody and sought to press for humane treatment and the ability for him to continue working while his immigration case is resolved.
Those who came to the site emphasized Tendo’s ties to the local health-care community: he had been employed as a nurse’s assistant at the University of Vermont Medical Center before his arrest.
“I am so humbled. I've seen people from Middlebury, from Saint Johnsbury, from Enosburg, from all over the state. And that means that Vermont has belief in humanity. It only tells the values that Vermonters hold so dear to their heart,” Tendo said.
What happened and next steps
Tendo was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in February of this year, and his work authorization was subsequently revoked. He appeared for a scheduled immigration check-in on Wednesday, a routine requirement in many immigration cases. His next check-in is scheduled for Nov. 19, a date his legal team said gives them time to prepare and to refile a motion aimed at allowing him to remain and work in the United States.
Organizers at the St. Albans gathering said they hoped the public demonstration would highlight local support for Tendo and pressure federal authorities to consider alternatives to long-term detention while his case proceeds.
Who showed up
- Local residents from multiple Vermont towns
- Religious and faith leaders
- State representatives and other elected officials
Speakers framed their participation as both a show of solidarity and a call to protect someone they described as a health-care worker and community member. No arrests or disruptions were reported at the gathering.
Local significance and broader context
The case highlights ongoing tensions in Vermont and nationally over immigration enforcement, detention and the ability of asylum seekers to work while their cases are pending. In Vermont, health-care facilities have employed immigrants in a range of clinical and support roles, and the detention or removal of staff can produce staffing challenges as well as personal hardship for families and communities.
Supporters at the event said the demonstration also aimed to bring public attention to procedural hurdles asylum seekers face, including the loss of work authorization after detention and the complexities of refiling motions to stay.
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| February | Tendo detained by ICE; work authorization revoked |
| August (Wednesday) | Community rally and check-in hearing at St. Albans ICE field office |
| Nov. 19 | Next scheduled immigration check-in for Tendo |
What supporters say they want
Those gathered said they want federal authorities to consider alternatives that would let Tendo continue working while immigration proceedings move forward. They also said they hoped the demonstration would ensure his safety and that legal advocates would be able to prepare a new motion for a stay and work authorization.
For now, Tendo’s legal options hinge on filings and hearings that will determine whether he can remain in the state and regain permission to work. Advocates say public pressure and local elected officials’ involvement can sometimes influence outcomes by drawing attention to specific cases.
As the Nov. 19 check-in approaches, Tendo and his lawyers will be preparing their strategy. Supporters in St. Albans said they plan to continue following the case and to organize as needed to keep the community’s focus on his situation.
This report will be updated if officials provide further information on the detention or immigration filings.
