To provide for the designation of Burma for temporary protected status.

119th Congress Introduced by Ami Bera and 11 co-sponsors

Designates Burma for 18 months of Temporary Protected Status, allowing eligible Burmese nationals to stay and work in the U.S. during designated period.

Introduced in House

Summary of H.R. 7014 (119th Congress) — Designation of Burma for Temporary Protected Status

Purpose and intent

The bill proposes to designate Burma as eligible for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA).

It aims to allow Burmese nationals in the United States to remain and work legally in the U.S. during a defined protection period due to extraordinary conditions in Burma.

Key provisions and changes

Designation for TPS:

Burma is to be treated as if designated under INA section 244(b)(1)(C) for purposes of granting TPS, subject to the bill’s specific provisions.
The initial designation period would be 18 months, beginning on November 25, 2025.

Eligibility criteria (for Burmese nationals):

The alien must be a national of Burma.
Must have been continuously physically present in the United States since the date of enactment of the bill.
Must be admissible as an immigrant (subject to certain inadmissibility provisions) and not ineligible for TPS under INA section 244(c)(2)(B).
Must register for TPS in a manner established by the Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS).

Travel abroad (consent to travel):

DHS must grant prior consent for travel abroad to TPS recipients granted under this designation, but only if the alien can show emergency and extenuating circumstances beyond their control necessitating a brief, temporary trip outside the United States.
Upon return, individuals traveling under this provision are treated as returning TPS recipients under INA section 244.

Administrative and oversight framework:

The bill designates Burma’s TPS status within the existing TPS framework, including recognition of travel permissions and reentry treatment consistent with other TPS designations.

Effective date and sunset:

The designation period is explicitly 18 months from November 25, 2025, after which the designation would presumably lapse unless extended by further action.

Who would be affected

Burmese nationals currently in the United States (and who meet the eligibility criteria) could obtain TPS protection for the designated 18-month period.

Employers and the U.S. labor market could see affected Burmese TPS recipients gaining eligibility to work legally during the designation period.

DHS would administer the TPS designation, registration, and travel authorization processes.

Procedural and timeline aspects

Introduction date: January 12, 2026.

Referral: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

Designation period: 18 months starting November 25, 2025 (note: this date is specified within the bill; if enacted, implementation would follow the bill’s statutory framework).

Potential travel approvals would be governed by existing TPS travel rules under INA section 244(f)(3).

Additional notes

The bill includes consent-to-travel provisions and defines how returning TPS participants would be treated, aligning with standard TPS protections for lawful status and reentry.

Sponsors include a bipartisan group of Representatives, with multiple co-sponsors listed.

This summary reflects the substantive elements of the bill as introduced and is intended to inform readers about its purpose, key mechanisms, and the populations affected.