The Trump administration’s decision to revoke Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Myanmar citizens has drawn sharp criticism from human rights groups, who argue that the move disregards the ongoing civil war and widespread human rights abuses in the country. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem justified the decision by citing Myanmar’s “notable progress in governance and stability,” including plans for “free and fair elections” and “successful ceasefire agreements.” However, critics have dismissed these claims as baseless, given the military junta’s brutal crackdown on dissent and the imprisonment of democratically-elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi. Phil Robertson of Asia Human Rights and Labor Advocates likened the decision to Noem’s infamous act of shooting her family’s dog, stating that it would send Myanmar citizens back to “prisons, brutal torture, and death.” The military, led by Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing, seized power in 2021 and has since been accused of war crimes, including the indiscriminate use of landmines, targeting of civilians, and forced conscription. The upcoming elections, which exclude Suu Kyi’s party, have been widely condemned as a sham. The National Unity Government (NUG), formed by ousted lawmakers, expressed dismay at the decision, emphasizing that the reasons for revoking TPS do not reflect the dire reality in Myanmar. The State Department’s own human rights report and travel advisory highlight the country’s ongoing violence and instability, further undermining Noem’s claims. Human Rights Watch’s John Sifton called the decision “egregious,” noting that it could affect up to 4,000 people and is based on assertions contradicted by extensive reporting.
Rights groups slam Trump administration for ending Myanmar deportation protection as civil war rages
