An Open Letter to Vermont's Congressional Representatives Regarding the Detainment of Steven Tendo, Pastor and Licensed Nursing Assistant

MONTPELIER VT- February 4, 2026 

Dear Vermont Congressional Representatives:

As President of the American Nurses Association of Vermont (ANA-Vermont), I write to express our organization’s official stance on the recent enforcement actions and ongoing immigration proceedings involving Pastor and Licensed Nursing Assistant Steven Tendo in Vermont, and on broader interactions between U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and individuals residing in our communities.

ANA-Vermont is bound by the Code of Ethics for Nurses to advocate for the health, safety, and rights of all people, and to uphold human dignity and ethical practice in nursing and public policy. The nursing profession is rooted in compassion, respect for human rights, and recognition that health and well‐being are inextricably linked to social justice. These principles guide our concerns regarding the use of immigration enforcement mechanisms that can negatively impact physical and mental health without due regard for individual circumstances or community needs.

We are aware that Mr. Tendo is a longtime resident of Vermont where he is a healthcare worker and spiritual leader who is deeply embedded in and truly beloved by the community where he lives and serves. We are aware that he is Licensed Nursing Assistant and is currently studying to become a Registered Nurse. We are aware that he has been subject to routine ICE check-ins as part of his ongoing immigration case and that he was detained on the morning of February 4, 2026 as he was arriving to the healthcare facility to report to duty where he works.   

While we recognize and respect the role of lawful immigration processes, ANA-Vermont is concerned about the health and human rights implications of enforcement practices that may create fear and anxiety among individuals with essential roles in healthcare delivery. We are concerned about the separation of families and disruption of critical support networks. We are concerned that current practices will prevent community members from seeking healthcare services. We are deeply concerned that detention exposes vulnerable individuals to detention conditions known to adversely affect both physical and mental health. It is well documented that immigration detention can lead to worsening chronic health conditions, trauma, and barriers to essential care.

As nurses, we see the real human cost when due process and health considerations are not meaningfully incorporated into enforcement practices. ANA-Vermont stands in solidarity with the 14,000 registered nurses across our great state in demanding the due process and release of our colleague Mr. Tendo, who we know to be a hard-working person that is deeply integrated into the Vermont community as a healthcare worker and spiritual leader.

We also call for the policy changes that require standards for law enforcement to clearly identify themselves by name or badge number and to prohibit masks or personal disguises with only certain exceptions. We call for policy changes that add government buildings, schools, shelters, and health care facilities to the list of sensitive locations where a person is not subject to a civil arrest. We call for policy changes that ensure due process and humane treatment for asylum seekers and immigrants, consistent with U.S. legal obligations and international human rights norms and that will prioritize community-based alternatives that allow individuals contributing to public health, social services, and community well-being to remain integrated while their cases are resolved.

Sincerely,

Jon Hendrickson, MSN, RN, CNML, CEN
ANA-Vermont President 2026