Naypyidaw: Myanmar's junta regime on Wednesday expressed approval of Washington's decision to end the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for nearly 4,000 Myanmar nationals residing in the United States. Junta spokesman Zaw Min Tun stated that the Myanmar government regards this announcement by the US government as a positive development.

According to Anadolu Agency, the spokesman highlighted that Myanmar citizens in the United States are welcome to return to their homeland and participate in the upcoming general election. This follows an announcement made by the Trump administration on Monday, declaring the termination of TPS for nearly 4,000 Myanmar nationals in the US, which will take effect on January 26, 2026.

US Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem issued a statement mentioning that the decision restores TPS to its original temporary status. Noem noted that the situation in Myanmar has improved to a point where it is deemed safe for Burmese citizens to return home, thus prompting the termination of the Temporary Protected Status.

Myanmar, which has been under military junta rule since February 2021, is currently preparing for general elections scheduled for December 28 this year, marking the first electoral process since the coup. However, the UN's Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar (IIMM) warned on Wednesday about a growing number of reports concerning serious international crimes being committed in the lead-up to the elections planned by the military authorities.

Nicholas Koumjian, the head of the mechanism, issued a statement expressing concern over reports of actions related to the elections that could amount to persecution and the spreading of terror among civilians, which may be classified as crimes against humanity.