BUFFALO, N.Y. — Over the past decade, Burma, also called Myanmar, had taken positive steps toward a Democratic system of government.

But this week the military group that once controlled the country ousted the current leader and is back in power.

"Unfortunately for the citizens of Burma, they're really going to face the impact of this and not be able to live freely and make decisions without being at the hands of the government," immigration attorney Rosanna Berardi said.

Berardi said there are an estimated 3,000 Burmese immigrants in the Western New York region. She said when they resettle in the state they find Buffalo often to be less expensive to start a new life than New York City.

"We see an influx in Western New York which has resulted in amazing, vibrant Burmese communities and restaurants," Berardi said.

The attorney predicted the community will see a significant impact because of the political instability in Burma.

"I think the fallout of this takeover on Monday is we'll see more and more Burmese refugees coming not only to the United States but to the Western New York area because they have ties here. They have family. They have friends. It's much easier for refugees to resettle in a foreign country when they've got somebody that's been through it already," she said.

As for the immigrants who have already settled here, Berardi said she doesn't know yet what that will mean for assisting their relatives back home. The Biden administration has promised sanctions against the military-led government.

"The problem any time a government or the military takes over a country's government system is that you don't always know if the money you're sending gets to your family members. It can definitely be more challenging to communicate with them," she said. "We've seen this with other countries but there is a pretty wide network here in Western New York and hopefully they can assist their families with joining them here soon."

Berardi said refugee resettlement is still an arduous process that requires significant government vetting, so any influx of new Burmese immigrants likely wouldn't happen for at least a few months.