DHS to end TPS for some Myanmar nationals
The Department of Homeland Security announced it will end Temporary Protected Status for some Myanmar nationals, citing planned December “free and fair” elections and “successful ceasefire agreements”; rights groups and Myanmar’s shadow National Unity Government sharply criticized the move, saying Myanmar remains in a brutal civil war with forced conscription and daily attacks on civilians. Advocates warned of harms to Burmese communities in the Twin Cities, and observers note that ICC prosecutors previously sought an arrest warrant for junta leader Min Aung Hlaing over alleged crimes against humanity related to the Rohingya.
📌 Key Facts
- The Department of Homeland Security announced it will end Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for some Myanmar nationals.
- DHS Secretary Kristi Noem cited planned 'free and fair elections' in December and 'successful ceasefire agreements' as reasons for ending TPS for Myanmar nationals.
- Rights groups sharply criticized the decision, arguing Myanmar remains in a brutal civil war; statements and quotes reported include comments from Phil Robertson of Asia Human Rights and Labor Advocates.
- Myanmar’s shadow National Unity Government (NUG) said the DHS rationale does not reflect reality, pointing to forced conscription and daily attacks on civilians.
- Background context notes that ICC prosecutors previously sought an arrest warrant for junta leader Min Aung Hlaing over crimes against humanity related to the Rohingya persecution.
- The policy change has local implications in Minnesota: many Burmese/Myanmar refugees live in the Twin Cities area, and local community members and advocates have voiced concerns about potential impacts.
📊 Relevant Data
Approximately 3,969 Myanmar nationals currently hold Temporary Protected Status in the United States as of November 2025.
Trump administration ends temporary immigration status for Myanmar citizens — Al Jazeera
Since the 2021 military coup, the conflict in Myanmar has displaced over three million civilians.
Civil War in Myanmar | Global Conflict Tracker — Council on Foreign Relations
More than 6,000 civilians have been killed in Myanmar's civil war since the 2021 coup, including 1,494 women and 751 children as of April 2025.
Myanmar's civil war - The House of Commons Library — UK Parliament
Temporary Protected Status for Myanmar was initially designated in May 2021 due to the military coup and security forces' brutal violence against civilians.
The planned December 2025 general elections in Myanmar have been described as a sham by more than 300 global union federations, trade unions, civil society, and human rights organizations.
Myanmar: Global, regional and national unions call on ASEAN to reject sham election — International Federation of Journalists
The majority of refugees from Myanmar in the US are from minority ethnic groups such as Chin, Kachin, Karen, Mon, Rakhine, and Shan, who face discrimination and persecution.
Burmese Refugee Health Profile — Minnesota Department of Health
Discrimination based on ethnicity and religion in Myanmar intensified after the 2021 coup, leaving vulnerable communities such as the Rohingya at greater risk.
Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Burma - Reddy - USCIS — USCIS
📰 Sources (3)
- Localizes the national policy to Minnesota, noting that many Burmese/Myanmar refugees reside in the Twin Cities area.
- Adds Minnesota-focused reaction/context from local stakeholders (e.g., community members/advocates) on potential impacts.
- DHS Secretary Kristi Noem cited 'free and fair elections' planned in December and 'successful ceasefire agreements' as reasons to end TPS for Myanmar nationals.
- Rights groups sharply criticized the move, arguing Myanmar remains in a brutal civil war; AP quotes include Asia Human Rights and Labor Advocates’ Phil Robertson.
- Myanmar’s shadow National Unity Government (NUG) said the DHS rationale does not reflect reality, citing forced conscription and daily attacks on civilians.
- Context added that ICC prosecutors previously sought an arrest warrant for junta leader Min Aung Hlaing over crimes against humanity related to Rohingya persecution.