Take Action for Human Rights

Release Pastor Steven Tendo from Detention

“They would eat me like hot cake. They would even kill me if they got to know that I am on the way going back…” — Pastor Steven

Steven Tendo is an ordained minister seeking safety from danger in Uganda, where government forces tortured him, amputated two of his fingers, and murdered several of his family members. He will likely be killed if returned.

Detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for 2 full years after requesting asylum here, his health has rapidly deteriorated from inadequate care for his diabetes: he is now blind in one eye and losing vision in the other. He was hospitalized in July, and despite his destroyed immune system, ICE sent him back to a facility where over a hundred people have tested positive for COVID-19.

Pastor Steven recently faced imminent deportation until global campaign efforts and congressional intervention stopped his deportation. However, his health continues to worsen behind detention walls. He must be allowed to pursue the right to seek asylum in safety and freedom. We must act quickly to save Pastor Steven’s life. Demand ICE to release him now.

⬇ Make Your Voice Heard ⬇

Deputy Field Office Direc

Deborah

Achim

Deputy Field Office Director

Dear Deputy Field Office Director Achim:

I am deeply concerned about the safety of Steven Tendo (A# 201 520 012), an ordained minister, asylum-seeker, and human rights activist who was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) after fleeing from danger in Uganda.

The U.S. government is under the obligation not to return individuals to a situation in which they would be at risk of torture or other serious human rights abuses. An official from Uganda had submitted a declaration confirming that Pastor Steven was tortured by Ugandan government forces and will likely be killed by security agencies if returned to Uganda. We are grateful that Pastor Steven’s removal has been halted pending adjudication of his petition for federal review before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.

However, Pastor Steven’s deteriorating health necessitates more: he must be released from detention, where inadequate access to treatment has left him sicker than ever before. He has been detained for 2 years with inadequate care for his diabetes, which has resulted in his loss of vision in one eye and losing vision in the other; numbness and tingling in his extremities; and recurring boils on his body. He faces life-threatening complications should he contract COVID-19.

I urge you to use the discretion you have to: immediately grant humanitarian parole to Steven Tendo while he awaits a decision on his asylum claim, including on any appeal.

Please act quickly to save Pastor Steven’s life before it is too late.

Sincerely,

{user_data~First Name} {user_data~Last Name}

First Name

Last Name

Email Address

Address 1

City

State

Postcode

Country

Phone Number

Amnesty Action Alerts & Updates — I would like to receive emails about urgent human rights campaigns and victories.