Asian Americans Advancing Justice – Asian American Justice Center (Advancing Justice – AAJC) issues the following statement in response:

 Asian Americans Advancing Justice – Asian American Justice Center (Advancing Justice – AAJC) issues the following statement in response: 

“We denounce the Department of Homeland Security’s decision to terminate temporary protected status (TPS) for Burmese immigrants. Burma was first designated for TPS in 2021 in response to the country’s human rights violations and political unrest. TPS for Burmese nationals was extended and redesignated, most recently in March 2024, due to the prevailing political turmoil, targeting of ethnic minorities, and mass displacement.  

 

“Burma continues to suffer from hazards that make returning to the country dangerous for TPS holders. In March, Burma experienced an earthquake amidst its ongoing civil war which exacerbated the already dire conditions. The life-threatening circumstances under which TPS was first designated for Burma are still present. Rather than terminate TPS for Burma, we urge the administration to redesignate and extend TPS to protect Burmese TPS holders currently in the U.S. from inhumane conditions. It is needlessly cruel to give Burmese TPS holders only 60 days to leave the U.S. and return to a country still in crisis. 

 

“This decision is another reckless termination of TPS from the administration. DHS has already shown their disregard for immigrant communities by ending TPS for hundreds of thousands of people from countries such as Nepal, Afghanistan, Syria, Venezuela and others. In terminating TPS for Burma, this administration fails to uphold their commitment to protect vulnerable populations from humanitarian emergencies. We call on Congress to pass relief for Burmese TPS holders and other TPS holders in response to the administration’s negligent, oppressive agenda.”