Junta hails end to US protected status for Myanmar nationals
In a troubling development for Myanmar citizens, human rights monitors have expressed grave concerns about the safety of returning to their homeland, particularly in light of the escalating violence and serious crimes reported in the lead-up to the upcoming elections. The situation in Myanmar remains precarious, with the military junta continuing to exert its control through violent repression and widespread human rights abuses. As the country approaches a critical electoral period, reports indicate that the junta is intensifying its crackdown on dissent, leading to fears that returning individuals may face persecution or even life-threatening situations.
Amidst this backdrop, the Trump administration’s recent decision to halt a Temporary Protected Status (TPS) program for Myanmar citizens has drawn sharp criticism. Approximately 4,000 individuals currently residing in the United States under TPS are now at risk of deportation back to Myanmar. This status was originally granted to protect individuals from being sent back to their home country due to ongoing armed conflict, natural disasters, or other extraordinary conditions. The cessation of this protective measure raises significant concerns about the safety and well-being of these individuals, many of whom have fled violence and instability in Myanmar.
Human rights advocates are urging the U.S. government to reconsider this decision, highlighting the dire circumstances that many Myanmar citizens would face if forced to return. Reports of serious crimes, including extrajudicial killings, arbitrary detentions, and widespread human rights violations, paint a grim picture of life under the junta. As the international community watches closely, the situation remains fluid and complex, with calls for greater humanitarian support and protection for those affected by the ongoing crisis in Myanmar. The implications of this policy change resonate not only for the individuals directly affected but also for the broader discourse on human rights and international responsibility in times of conflict.
Human rights monitors say it is not safe to return, citing reports of ‘serious crimes in the run-up to elections’
Myanmar’s junta applauded the Trump administration on Wednesday for halting a scheme that protected its citizens from deportation from the US back to their war-racked homeland.
About 4,000 Myanmar citizens are living in the US with temporary protected status (TPS), which shields foreign nationals from deportation to disaster zones and allows them the right to work.
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