CALL TO ACTION: RELEASE PASTOR STEVEN TENDO NOW AND STOP THE DEATH FLIGHTS TO AFRICA
Dear Friends,
For many months now you have been asking how to help press for Pastor Steven Tendo’s release from ICE Port Isabel Detention Center, where he has been held without parole for more than two years. As you recall, we put up a ferocious fight to save him from an abrupt deportation effort back in September 2020, and to insist on the most basic of medical care. Forty- four Congressional members signed an urgent letter of concern, and then- ICE Director Pham agreed to stay the Pastor’s removal until the Court of Appeals has ruled on the case. Once again, Pastor Steven is hearing from local officers that he is slated for deportation. Given the number of last-minute “death flights” to places like Cameroon and Haiti, we are extremely concerned. Moreover, Pastor Steven continues to suffer severe deterioration of his mental and physical health. The full facts are set out in the accompanying February 2021 Steven Tendo Fact Sheet. Key documents are also posted on our website at angrytiasandabuelas.com .
We need your urgent calls to Congress once again. President Biden is making great strides towards ending the abuse and endangerment of asylum seekers by our own government. However, he faces a great deal of resistance from many ICE officials. A real possibility exists that Pastor Steven and others will be rushed onto a Uganda-bound plane with almost no advance notice. As always these “death flights” disproportionately impact Black asylum seekers, whether from Africa or the Caribbean. Human rights violations in Uganda have reached frightening levels. Meanwhile the Ugandan government continues to press for Pastor Steven to be returned to Uganda, where he will be tortured and killed. He is already missing two fingers from one such torture session. The Convention Against Torture prohibits his forcible return there. We must also insist on his immediate release on parole to his sponsors. He is medically vulnerable and has never committed a crime.
PLEASE CALL/WRITE MEMBERS OF THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS WITH THE FOLLOWING MESSAGE:
Please first thank all Members of Congress who have taken action on Steven Tendo’s behalf before, and/or who have helped to stop the recent flights to Cameroon and to Haiti.
Please ask Congressional Members to press for release of Pastor Steven Tendo from ICE detention asap. He has been detained for two years, is diabetic and at risk of infection, has never committed a crime, and has two fully eligible sponsors. His health has deteriorated badly. We note that Black asylum seekers have received especially harsh treatment with regards to denial of parole.
Pastor Steven carried out human rights work in Uganda and was apprehended and tortured by government agents. Two of his fingers were amputated. A Ugandan officer has confirmed that if returned to Uganda, Pastor Steven would be immediately arrested and killed. Human rights NGOS confirm ongoing severe political persecution in Uganda. (If the fraud accusations against him are raised, explain that he has been acquitted of all charges. )
Please insist that Pastor Steven not be deported to Uganda until his appeals are complete. In short, we must fully comply with the September 2020 directive of former Director Pham. Moreover, Pastor Steven’s rights under the Convention Against Torture must be fully respected. That means he cannot be deported, given the clear danger of further torture and execution. There should be no expedited “death flights” to Uganda at all until the new administration has evaluated the human rights crisis in Uganda.
Who to Call/ Write:
Note: Given the Covid, budget, impeachment and other crises facing the U.S. right now, emails may be the most appropriate way to express your concerns. Contact information is on- line. The U.S. Capitol switchboard number is 202-224-3121. As we obtain specific recommendations for legislative aids and their contacts, we will post them on this website. We realize the list of key contacts here is long, and you should feel free to form a team and divide them up as needed. Updates will be posted here as well.
Who to Call: Friendly Offices
Your own U.S. Representatives and Senators.
All members of the House Black Caucus and Hispanic Caucus.
U.S. Reps. James McGovern, Filemon Vela, and Lloyd Doggett. (strong supporters)
U.S. Reps. Pramila Jayapal and Zoe Lofgren of House Immigration and Citizenship Subcommittee
U.S. Rep. Bennie Thompson of House Homeland Security Committee (Wonderful Congressman)
U.S. Senators Corey Booker, Patrick Leahy, Dick Durbin
Refer to the FACTS SHEET HERE