On March 12, 2021, Secretary of Homeland Alejandro N. Mayorkas designated Burma (Myanmar) for Temporary Protected Status (TPS), which allows Burmese nationals and residents currently residing in the United States to continue living and working in the country legally for up to 18 months. This is the Biden administration’s second new TPS designation, after individuals from Venezuela were given TPS on March 8.
This designation was issued because of the dangerous conditions caused by the military coup on February 1. Armed security forces have used lethal violence against protesters, restricted access to life-saving assistance, and disrupted medical and humanitarian flights, which all have led to an economic crisis in the country.
As we mentioned before, only Burmese nationals and residents who have continually been living in the U.S. as of March 11, 2021, are eligible for TPS designation. Additionally, initial TPS applicants must also meet other qualifying requirements—which the Federal Register notice will later detail—and undergo background and security checks to determine eligibility.
According to NPR, the new Burma designation will cover approximately 1,600 people who are already in the U.S. Due to COVID-19 pandemic-related restrictions border restrictions, DHS added that Burmese immigrants should not believe smugglers and others claiming that the border is open.
If you are a Burmese national or resident living in Illinois, Arizona, or Texas and interested in Temporary Protected Status, contact Gambacorta Law today at (847) 443-9303 for experienced legal services. We specialize in complex immigration cases.