A September article published by the New York Times released figures from a survey in which 2,000 U.S. residents answered questions about whether they would leave the country, with an additional 3,000 replies from social media platforms. Numbers don’t lie and indicate a notable level of political and economic dissatisfaction across the States, pushing many to consider relocation elsewhere. At the moment, numbers indicate 52% of Americans have already left the motherland and headed to Europe, Canada, and Australia to start a new life, meet open-minded cultures, and explore new job opportunities.

The reasons? A complex set of interconnected causes and contributing factors, from abortion restrictions, racism and homophobia, along with fears that Donald Trump could begin a second term or that Kamala Harris might not be able to responsibly succeed Joe Biden, lacking diplomacy and the ability to handle geopolitical challenges.

The piece features testimonies from Americans who gave up on the hope of America and relocated internationally.

• Robert Horton (79), a real estate developer, was inspired during a trip to France and decided to apply for a long-stay visa there. He is drawn by the socialist government and expressed deep concern over the safety situation and loss of respect amid increasing liberalism. A Republican voter, Mr. Horton said he couldn’t live in a ‘Kamala world’, as it would only lead to further decline. This is why France looks like the ideal destination to free himself from an increasingly radicalized New World.
• Rebecca Houghton (48), a neutral voter, revealed anxiety and worry after a conversation with a friend who experienced war in the ‘90s. The political instability encouraged her and her husband to relocate to London, while moving their assets to Britain in order to keep cash overseas.
• Rosanna Guadagno, an associate professor at the University of Oulu, voiced worry about disinformation on the internet during the 2016 election. As a result, she began applying for jobs abroad and finally found her home at heart in Finland.
• Greg Jenkins (61), once one of Trump’s first supporters, lost hope after Donald’s first term as he witnessed the gradual collapse of democracy. Since then, he has been applying for an Irish passport through ancestry.
• Daniel Carrieres (38), a Democrat voter, left his career in finance upset about the high crime rates. As a consequence, he relocated to Portugal with his wife admitting ‘you’re not bombarded with it as much’.
• Ali Atri (35), a Muslim descent and Democrat, shared his growing fears about the United States potentially funding war in the Middle East with Americans’ tax dollars. That’s why he decided to build a new life from scratch, thanks to a new job offer in Switzerland.
• Sarah Malone (44), who conveyed apprehension over rising antisemitism in the United States and felt vulnerable due to her Jewish identity. Following uncertainty during elections, she’s put her Wisconsin home for sale and is moving with her family to Mexico. She also sees Trump as a tyrant you can’t live under.
• Steven Seltzer (73), who didn’t feel protected as a Jew in America and obtained German citizenship for himself and his two sons through ancestry. He described the historical time he’s living as paradoxical, given Germany’s history and the legacy of World War II.
• Paul Choi (45), a Democrat with Korean roots, felt threatened by fellow Americans after the pandemic, simply for being Asian. The hostility led him to move to Toronto in 2021. However, he still misses his California home and feels that a part of him was taken away.

According to the survey shared by the NYT, more than 125 Americans also voiced concerns about the daily discrimination faced by the LGBTQ and transgender community. For example, Michael and his 9-year-old transgender daughter have already begun defying a plan B if Donald Trump wins the election.

Among other testimonials are:

• Freya Wilson (25), who felt deeply offended by Project 2025 introduced by Trump’s electoral campaign, which put limits on gender-affirming care and banned LGBTQ people from certain jobs. A move that made her and her partner relocate to Vietnam.
• Beco Lichtman (50), an American Democrat, who expresses terror about living in the United States as a Black, gay, and Jewish man. Trump’s first term and his new homophobic campaign pushed him and his husband to relocate to Paris, where they eventually got their visa.

In the end, the article highlights that over 93 respondents felt disappointed and voiced frustration with the general state of American health care, which is rapidly putting at risk the abortion rights. For example, Sara Dawn O’Dell (a 42-year-old obstetrician) believes abortion access would be significantly reduced under a second Trump presidency. This is why she and her wife secured jobs in Canada and sold their home in Olympia. After a while, they admitted they feel more fulfilled and safe outside the borders.