Following Donald Trump’s re-election as U.S. President, a wave of Americans is exploring options to leave the country, as Google searches for “move to Canada” soared by 1,270% within 24 hours after the East Coast polls closed. The surge in interest highlights widespread concerns over issues including immigration, healthcare, and social justice that many anticipate under Trump’s renewed administration.
Search trends reveal that Canada is not the only destination on Americans’ minds. Interest in relocating to other countries, such as New Zealand, spiked nearly 2,000%, while searches for Australia saw an 820% increase. Google reports record-breaking levels for these searches, and Immigration New Zealand’s website alone saw a significant rise in U.S. visitors, from 1,500 last year to 25,000 on November 7.
The trend reflects rising anxiety, especially among women and marginalized groups, who are drawn to nations with more progressive values and a higher quality of life. Portugal, Spain, Greece, Italy, Mexico, Panama, and Costa Rica also emerged as popular destinations among U.S. citizens seeking to escape perceived political turmoil at home.
Immigration lawyers have seen a sharp increase in inquiries. “Every half hour, there’s a new email inquiry,” said Evan Green, managing partner at Canada’s oldest immigration law firm, Green and Spiegel, noting parallels with emigration interest in 2016 after Trump’s first victory. This election, however, was marked by unprecedented levels of societal anxiety, with exit polls showing nearly three-quarters of Americans believe democracy itself is at risk.
“Trump is certainly a trigger, but it’s also broader societal anxiety,” Green added, explaining that many Americans now feel uncertain in a society that supports him, fearing for personal freedoms and safety.
The “r/AmerExit” Reddit group has since been flooded with advice on ideal emigration destinations and visa processes, as Americans share concerns for the future. Heather Bell, an immigration consultant at Vancouver’s Bell Alliance, noted that these apprehensions were common even before the election but warns that immigrating to Canada is challenging. “It’s not easy, especially now, as Canada’s government is reducing the number of temporary and permanent migrants,” Bell explained.
Although interest in leaving the U.S. has surged, few Americans ultimately follow through, given the obstacles involved. But the election’s outcome has certainly spurred reflection on the future for many.
