The Trump administration announced on Monday the termination of the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) program for nearly 4,000 immigrants from Myanmar, a decision that has raised significant concern among pro-immigrant advocates. This action marks another step in the administration’s broader effort to curtail humanitarian immigration programs, which they claim have been misused and extended beyond their intended temporary nature.
TPS, established by Congress in 1990, has historically allowed both Democratic and Republican administrations to grant temporary work permits and protection from deportation to immigrants from nations facing crises such as armed conflict or environmental disasters. The program has seen recent expansions under the Biden administration, which starkly contrasts the current move to revoke protections for individuals from nearly a dozen countries, including Afghanistan, Haiti, and Venezuela.
Myanmar has been embroiled in political turmoil and civil war since a military coup in 2021, leading to widespread violence and strained humanitarian conditions. The United Nations reported that the military has killed approximately 6,500 civilians and displaced more than 3.5 million people amid ongoing armed conflicts. Despite this dire situation, the Department of Homeland Security, under Secretary Kristi Noem, argued in its official notice that improvements in governance and stability justified ending TPS for Myanmar.
The DHS raised concerns regarding the vetting of individuals from Myanmar, suggesting that some current TPS holders could be linked to national security or immigration fraud investigations. There are currently 3,969 individuals enrolled in this program, which is set to expire by late January unless legal action alters that timeline.
The move has sparked outrage among advocates for immigrant rights, who decry it as part of a larger trend towards what they characterize as the most extensive de-documentation campaign in modern U.S. history. This decision underscores the precarious nature of immigration protections in the current political landscape.