Myanmar Nationals residing in USA under TPS face difficulties

More than 2,000 Myanmar Nationals residing in USA under Temporary Protected Status (TPS) are facing concerns as they may encounter difficulties in extending their stay.

According to records from the U.S. government’s immigration authorities, there are approximately 2,300 Myanmar Nationals residing in USA under TPS.

Following the military coup in Myanmar, the U.S. government granted TPS on May 25, 2021, to students, individuals on work-related visits, and those traveling for leisure who were already in the U.S. and faced challenges returning home.

The government allowed individuals who had arrived in the U.S. before and immediately after the coup to apply for TPS.

Observers estimate that tens of thousands of people who have arrived in the U.S. through various means since the coup and do not yet have legal (or temporary) residency documents may also be affected.

Temporary Protected Status (TPS) is a U.S. immigration program that offers temporary legal residency and work authorization to nationals from countries experiencing extraordinary conditions, such as armed conflict or natural disasters, making safe return unfeasible. Myanmar (Burma) was designated for TPS following the military coup in February 2021, which led to widespread violence and political instability.

In March 2024, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced an 18-month extension and redesignation of TPS for Myanmar, effective from May 26, 2024, to November 25, 2025. This extension allows approximately 2,300 current beneficiaries to retain their TPS status, while the redesignation opens the program to an estimated 7,300 additional Myanmar nationals who have resided in the U.S. since March 21, 2024.

Despite these protections, Myanmar TPS beneficiaries in the U.S. have faced significant challenges. The abrupt freeze on foreign aid by the U.S. government in early 2025 severely impacted refugees and asylum seekers from Myanmar. This decision led to the closure of hospitals in refugee camps and heightened the risk of deportation for human rights defenders, exacerbating the hardships faced by the Myanmar immigrant community.

Furthermore, the political landscape in the U.S. has added to the uncertainty for TPS holders. In December 2024, several Senate Democrats urged President Biden to preserve TPS amid concerns that the incoming administration might terminate the program. They emphasized the potential risks to immigrant families and the U.S. economy if mass deportations were to proceed.

In January 2025, the Biden administration extended TPS for nationals from several countries, including Myanmar, allowing them to remain in the U.S. until 2026. However, this extension may face challenges under the new administration, which has expressed intentions to dismantle TPS.

The uncertainty surrounding the future of TPS has left many Myanmar Nationals residing in USA in a precarious position, highlighting the need for comprehensive immigration reform to provide more stable and permanent solutions for those seeking refuge from crisis-stricken countries.