Burma Is a Temporary Protected Status Designated Country
Burma (Myanmar) is designated for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 18 months as of May 25, 2021, due to the “complex and deteriorating humanitarian crisis in many parts of the country,” according to Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas. As such, eligible TPS beneficiaries are protected through November 25, 2022, as long as they:
- continuously resided in the US since March 11, 2021; and
- were continuously present in the US since May 25, 2021.
This new TPS designation only extends to Burmese nationals and individuals without nationality who last resided in Burma. Other eligibility criteria will be explained in an upcoming Federal Register notice, but in the meantime, click here for more information.
The decision to designate Burma for TPS came after Secretary Mayorkas consulted with interagency partners about the “continuing violence, pervasive arbitrary detentions, the use of lethal violence against peaceful protesters, and intimidation of the people of Burma,” all of which are caused by the military coup. The coup has exacerbated poor humanitarian conditions in various parts of Burma by limiting access to life-saving resources, interfering with flights carrying humanitarian and medical aid, and triggering an economic crisis.
As such, Burma is designated for TPS due to these temporary and extraordinary conditions.
Eligibility for TPS Designation
A foreign country may be designated for TPS if its conditions temporarily prevent the country’s nationals from returning safely, or the country cannot adequately handle the return of its nationals. Specifically, a country may be designated for TPS based on one or more of the following statutory grounds:
- Ongoing armed conflict
- Environmental disasters
- Extraordinary and temporary conditions
During a TPS designation period, preliminarily eligible beneficiaries get the following benefits:
- They are not removable from the United States
- They can obtain an employment authorization document (EAD)
- They may be authorized to travel
Our Attorney Is Here to Help
If you are a Burmese national or individual without nationality who last resided in Burma, our lawyer can help you apply for TPS and advocate for your best interests every step of the way. The US immigration system is notoriously complex and confusing, but with the help of an experienced attorney, the TPS application process can become much easier.
Learn all the information you need to know by contacting our firm online or at (415) 212-6817!