UPDATE ON PASTOR STEVEN TENDO

PASTOR STEVEN TENDO: FACING 2021

Happy New Years to one and all from Pastor Steven Tendo, together with his profound thanks for everything you have done for him, from calls for his release, to sending him paper and stamps and commissary funds, to becoming pen-pals and sharing books. The kindness and compassion everyone has shown him personally, and the power and dedication everyone has demonstrated politically, have been overwhelming, and have literally kept him alive through the last two terrible years of detention. We at the Angry Tias and Abuelas have also been very moved by all that we have witnessed.

Pastor Steven continues in detention at Port Isabel. Once the Fifth Circuit rules in his favor, it will be far easier to compel his release on parole to one of us. His team of lawyers continues to do battle for him, and our Congressional contacts have been firm in their commitment to ensure justice for him. With their help, he has finally received surgery on one eye, which has healed well. He can now read the Bible, good books, and your letters, which has helped tremendously. His diabetes continues, and due to constant harassment and threats by local officials there, he now has hypertension. Now a second wave of COVID is sweeping the detention center and he is in a packed dormitory once again.

We all hope of course, that the new administration under President Joe Biden will finally end the nightmare that has come to all refugees at our borders and in our detention centers. However, we must remain extremely vigilant for his safety and that of everyone else.

Please do call/write Debora Achim, San Antonio Deputy Field Office Director, that ask that Pastor Steven be released his sponsors immediately. Her contact info is 210-283- 4723, 210- 283- 4750 or 210- 283-4711, and Deborah.achim@ice.dhs.gov

THERE IS LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL, BUT OUR FRIENDS ARE STILL UNSAFE