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The Trump administration has officially moved to revoke Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for nearly 4,000 people from Myanmar.

Some shit you should know before you dig in: If you’re unaware, a full-scale civil war has ravaged Myanmar following a military coup that kicked off in 2021 when the army ousted the elected government and ignited widespread armed resistance. The coup revived deep-rooted tensions between the military (Tatmadaw) and ethnic minority groups, many of which have fought for autonomy for decades, and triggered a revolt by pro-democracy forces that now claim parts of the country. The conflict has displaced millions: over 2.3 million internally, and many thousands more fleeing abroad, while documented civilian casualties number in the tens of thousands. In addition to this, human rights groups accuse the junta of mass killings, torture, and arbitrary arrests. As of now, the junta controls only about 21% of the country’s territory, with ethnic armed groups and resistance forces holding significant ground.

What’s going on now: In a notable development, DHS Secretary Kristi Noem has announced that the administration will terminate Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for nearly 4,000 Myanmar nationals currently living in the US. This protection, which is set to expire on January 26, 2026, has shielded recipients from deportation and granted them legal work authorization due to Myanmar’s ongoing conflict. Noem justified the revocation by claiming that Myanmar has made “notable progress in governance and stability,” pointing to the end of the state of emergency, the junta’s plans for“free and fair” elections, ceasefire agreements, and improved public service delivery as signs that the country is now safe enough for return.

DHS echoed these claims in an official notice, arguing that continuing TPS for Myanmar was “contrary to the national interest.” DHS also expressed concerns about vetting challenges, the potential for visa overstays, and claimed that some TPS holders were linked to national security or immigration fraud investigations.

The decision has drawn sharp backlash from human rights organizations. Human Rights Watch called the administration’s reasoning “fantastical,” pointing out that Myanmar remains deeply unstable. They also point out that the upcoming elections are widely regarded as a sham orchestrated by the military junta to cement control.