The Trump administration’s escalating restrictions on humanitarian migration are sparking fear among some of the United States’ most vulnerable diaspora communities. Last week, the U.S. government announced the cancellation of “temporary protected status” (TPS) for Myanmar nationals, declaring the conflict-ridden country “safe” for return. This decision has left many in a state of uncertainty and fear for their futures.
In a related move, following the shooting of two National Guard soldiers in Washington, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) froze the processing of all asylum applications and halted visas for Afghans. The agency also announced that even approved residency applications from countries of “concern” would be reviewed. The suspect in the shooting, an Afghan national who worked with the CIA during the Afghanistan war, had received asylum in the U.S.
USCIS Director Joseph Edlow stated on X, formerly Twitter,
“USCIS has halted all asylum decisions until we can ensure that every alien is vetted and screened to the maximum degree possible. The safety of the American people always comes first.”
Meanwhile, President Donald Trump expressed on social media his administration’s intention to permanently pause migration from all “Third World Countries” to allow the American system to recover.
Fears of Deportation Among Myanmar Nationals
Myanmar national Su Htet, who resides in Washington D.C., is among those affected by the TPS cancellation. She was studying at a U.S. university in 2021 when Myanmar’s government was overthrown in a military coup. After graduating, she was granted TPS, which allowed her to stay in the U.S. legally.
Su Htet explained,
“Once I graduated, I couldn’t go home, so I applied to be on TPS to give me a little more time to figure out what I could do next. It allowed me to fight back against the junta without the fear of being conscripted or retaliation.”
However, Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem announced that the TPS designation for Myanmar was no longer needed, stating,
“The situation in Burma has improved enough that it is safe for Burmese citizens to return home, so we are terminating the Temporary Protected Status.”
Analysts, however, argue that there have been no “meaningful improvements” in Myanmar’s situation that would make it safer for returnees. The revocation of TPS, effective in January, places individuals like Su Htet in a precarious legal position without work or residency rights. As a Muslim and outspoken critic of the regime, Su Htet fears arrest upon her return.
Afghan Community Faces Uncertainty
The situation is equally dire for Afghan nationals. The U.S. had already ended Afghanistan’s TPS and blocked most avenues for Afghans to seek refuge, except for those who had collaborated with the U.S. during the war. The recent shooting incident has now frozen even this limited pathway.
Rights organizations have criticized the U.S. government’s actions as “collective punishment.” Bill Frelick, Director of Human Rights Watch’s Refugee and Migrant Rights Division, stated,
“Responding to the horrific actions of one individual by cancelling all Afghan visa and asylum processing is not justice, but scapegoating.”
Wessal Mukhtar, an Afghan asylum seeker based in California, described the psychological toll on his family and community.
“Every Afghan family I know is living with this constant stress — from the youngest child to the oldest parent. There’s this general sense of anxiety hanging over us.”
Mukhtar’s asylum application has been pending since his arrival in 2021, and he fears for his family’s future.
Implications and Future Outlook
The recent policy shifts represent a significant tightening of U.S. immigration policy, particularly affecting those fleeing conflict and persecution. Experts warn that such measures could have far-reaching consequences, not only for the individuals directly impacted but also for the U.S.’s global reputation as a refuge for the oppressed.
As the administration continues to emphasize national security, the humanitarian implications of these policies remain a contentious issue. Advocacy groups are urging the government to reconsider its stance and provide a more compassionate approach to those seeking safety and a new life in the U.S.
For now, individuals like Su Htet and Wessal Mukhtar, along with countless others, remain in a state of limbo, their futures uncertain as they navigate a complex and often unforgiving immigration system.
