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Myanmar junta leader has said citizens living in the United States and other countries will be welcomed if they wish to return.
The announcement came after the United States ended temporary protected status for nearly 4,000 Myanmar nationals earlier this week.
Irrawaddy reported that speaking at a joint press conference with visiting Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing said: “We are making arrangements to receive around 4,000 Myanmar nationals whose temporary protected status was revoked by the US Department of Homeland Security.
“If they are on the voter list, we will ensure they have the right to vote.”
The English and Burmese language media outlet said the military junta is using the US decision to end TPS as part of its effort to gain international recognition for its planned elections.
On Monday, the US Department of Homeland Security announced that it is ending TPS for Myanmar nationals.
The department said, according to its assessment, that citizens residing in the US can now “safely return” due to improvements in governance and stability, and the junta’s preparations for a “free and fair” election.
The junta quickly welcomed the announcement and urged Myanmar nationals in the US to return, vote in the upcoming election, and “help build the country”, as per Irrawaddy.
The first phase of Myanmar’s national election is scheduled to begin in late December.