Following Donald Trump’s re-election as President of the United States, many Americans have been found making frantic efforts to leave the country.
More significantly, Google searches for “move to Canada” skyrocketed by 1,270% in the 24 hours after the East Coast polls closed. This surge in interest isn’t surprising, given the significant concerns surrounding Trump’s presidency, including issues related to immigration, healthcare, and social justice.
Some Americans, particularly women and marginalized communities, are seeking refuge in countries with more progressive values and better quality of life.
Popular destinations include Canada, Portugal, Spain, Greece, Italy, Mexico, Panama, and Costa Rica, which offer attractive options for those looking to escape the political turmoil in the US.
Searches for moving to New Zealand surged by nearly 2,000%, while those for Australia jumped 820%, Reuters reports.
By Wednesday evening on the East Coast, searches had hit record levels for three countries, according to a Google official.
Although Google keeps search volumes under wraps, Immigration New Zealand’s website saw a massive spike in U.S. visitors – 25,000 new users on November 7, compared to just 1,500 on the same day last year.
This trend is also reflected in the influx of inquiries flooding immigration lawyers’ offices.
“Every half hour, there’s a new email inquiry,” Reuters quoted Evan Green, managing partner at Green and Spiegel, Canada’s oldest immigration law firm as saying.
The surge in emigration interest mirrors the wave of U.S. citizens considering relocation after Trump’s 2016 victory.
However, this time, his re-election comes after a particularly contentious campaign, during which nearly three-quarters of U.S. voters said they felt American democracy was at risk, according to Edison Research exit polls.
Many Americans are also concerned that Trump’s presidency could deepen the divides between Democrats and Republicans on critical issues like race, gender, education, and reproductive rights.
“Trump is certainly the trigger, but it’s also broader societal anxiety,” said Green, 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 US presidential election has sparked concerns among some Americans, leading 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 after Donald Trump’s win, have driven this interest.
Heather Bell, an immigration consultant at Vancouver’s Bell Alliance, notes that these concerns were common among Americans considering a move to Canada even before the election.
However, despite the surge in interest, few ultimately make the move, Bell observes.
“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.