Trump Ends Protected Status For Who?
The Trump administration is once again taking decisive action on immigration. Nearly 4,000 citizens of Myanmar living in the United States will soon lose their Temporary Protected Status (TPS) after Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem officially ended those protections on Monday.
According to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), Myanmar will be removed from the TPS list on January 26, meaning thousands of individuals will no longer be shielded from deportation. Noem made the decision after consulting national security and foreign-policy officials and determining that conditions in Myanmar have improved enough for its citizens to return home safely.
Part of Trump’s Larger Immigration Strategy
This decision fits squarely within President Donald Trump’s broader effort to restore the rule of law and end temporary programs that quietly became long-term stays under previous administrations.
Since Trump took office, TPS designations have been ended for migrants from:
- Afghanistan
- Cameroon
- Haiti
- Honduras
- Nepal
- Nicaragua
- Syria
- Sudan
- Venezuela
Myanmar is the latest addition, reinforcing the administration’s commitment to strong borders, law-and-order policies, and putting American interests first.
Why DHS Says Myanmar No Longer Qualifies for TPS
In a statement released by USCIS, Noem explained that Myanmar has made “significant progress” in areas that previously justified TPS protections. Those improvements include:
- The end of its state of emergency
- Planning for free and fair elections
- Successful ceasefire agreements
- Better local governance
- Increased public-service stability
- Steps toward national reconciliation
With these changes underway, Noem determined that continuing to allow Burmese nationals to remain in the United States under TPS “is no longer in the national interest.”
Nearly 4,000 Individuals Affected
Earlier this year, 3,670 Myanmar nationals were protected under TPS. That number has since risen to 3,969, and all will see protections end on January 26, unless a federal court intervenes.
Officials say those losing TPS benefits can use the CBP Home app to confirm their departure from the United States.
Myanmar’s Ongoing Challenges
Myanmar has faced serious turmoil since the 2021 military takeover, sparking nationwide demonstrations and years of unrest. International monitors estimate that nearly 8,000 civilians have been killed during the conflict.
Even so, DHS determined that conditions have stabilized to the point that TPS—designed only for temporary, emergency use—is no longer justified.
TPS: A Program Long Criticized for Becoming Permanent
Temporary Protected Status was created in 1990 and has been extended by both Democratic and Republican administrations. While the program was originally intended to be short-term, many migrants have remained in the U.S. for decades.
Under federal law, the Homeland Security secretary must review each country’s TPS status before it expires. If the country no longer meets the legal requirements, the designation must be terminated.
A Move Toward Stronger Borders and National Sovereignty
With this decision, President Trump’s team continues pushing for a secure, orderly immigration system, ensuring that temporary programs remain temporary and that U.S. law is enforced consistently.
