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James was granted refugee status in Malaysia in 2013, which provided some legal protections and access to education. However, his activism and criticism of Myanmar’s military regime have placed him at risk of persecution if repatriated. In early 2021, shortly after the military coup, Malaysia began forcibly deporting over 1,200 Myanmar nationals, despite protests from NGOs and courts, citing the unstable and violent situation in Myanmar. These deportations have continued despite international concern, with over 2,000 Myanmar refugees forcibly returned from Malaysia alone in 2022.