Following Donald Trump’s re-election as President of the United States, a significant number of Americans are exploring the possibility of leaving the country. Google has reported a dramatic increase in searches for “move to Canada,” which spiked by 1,270% within 24 hours after the East Coast polls closed. This surge reflects growing concerns over Trump’s presidency, particularly in areas such as immigration, healthcare, and social justice.
Many Americans, especially women and marginalized groups, are considering relocating to countries with more progressive values and higher standards of living. Popular destinations include Canada, Portugal, Spain, Greece, Italy, Mexico, Panama, and Costa Rica, all offering appealing options for those seeking to escape the political unrest in the U.S.
Interest in moving to New Zealand surged by nearly 2,000%, and searches for relocating to Australia increased by 820%, as reported by Reuters. By Wednesday evening on the East Coast, record levels of searches were noted for three countries, according to a Google official. Although Google does not disclose exact search volumes, Immigration New Zealand’s website witnessed a substantial increase in U.S. visitors, with 25,000 new users on November 7, compared to just 1,500 on the same day last year.
This heightened interest in emigration is also evident in the increased inquiries received by immigration law firms. Evan Green, managing partner at Green and Spiegel, Canada’s oldest immigration law firm, told Reuters, “Every half hour, there’s a new email inquiry.” This mirrors the surge in interest seen after Trump’s initial victory in 2016. However, his re-election follows an especially contentious campaign, during which nearly three-quarters of U.S. voters expressed concerns about the state of American democracy, according to Edison Research exit polls.
Many Americans worry that Trump’s presidency could exacerbate the divides between Democrats and Republicans on critical issues such as race, gender, education, and reproductive rights. “Trump is certainly the trigger, but it’s also broader societal anxiety,” Green noted, adding, “The majority of Americans voted for him, and some people no longer feel comfortable in a society that supports him. They’re afraid of losing their freedoms.”
The 2024 U.S. presidential election has sparked significant concern among some Americans, prompting hundreds to share advice on ideal destinations and visa processes on Reddit’s “r/AmerExit” group. Fears about safety and the country’s future, particularly following Trump’s victory, have fueled this interest.
Heather Bell, an immigration consultant at Vancouver’s Bell Alliance, pointed out that these concerns were prevalent among Americans considering a move to Canada even before the election. However, despite the surge in interest, Bell observes that few actually make the move. “Immigrating to Canada is not easy—especially now, with the government reducing the number of temporary and permanent migrants allowed into the country,” she explained.
