(Sydney) – Following Donald Trump’s re-election, a significant surge in interest in emigration has been observed, with many Americans seeking to move abroad in the wake of his victory. Google search data reveals a dramatic increase in inquiries about relocating to countries like Canada, New Zealand, and Australia, mirroring a similar wave of emigration interest seen after Trump’s 2016 win.
In the 24 hours after U.S. East Coast polls closed on election night, searches for “move to Canada” skyrocketed by 1,270%, while New Zealand saw an even higher increase at nearly 2,000%. Australia also experienced an 820% jump in searches. By late Wednesday, search interest in emigrating was reaching all-time highs for these countries, according to Google.
While Google does not release specific search numbers, the Immigration New Zealand website recorded a striking rise in traffic, with 25,000 new users from the U.S. on November 7, compared to just 1,500 on the same day the previous year. Immigration lawyers have also reported a surge in inquiries, with Evan Green, managing partner at Canada’s Green and Spiegel law firm, noting that his firm receives a new email request for assistance every half hour.
The current surge in emigration interest appears to be a direct response to the contentious nature of Trump’s re-election campaign. According to Edison Research exit polls, nearly 75% of U.S. voters expressed concerns that American democracy was under threat, contributing to fears about the country’s future under another Trump presidency. Issues such as race, gender, education, and reproductive rights have become particularly divisive, with many Americans expressing anxiety about further polarization.
In online forums like “r/AmerExit” on Reddit, hundreds of U.S. citizens have shared their fears and exchanged advice on how to navigate immigration processes. Many participants cited concerns about the future of their country, safety, or both under Trump’s leadership. For some, the result of the election has prompted them to reassess their place in a society they no longer feel comfortable living in.
Immigration consultant Heather Bell, who works with Canadian law firm Bell Alliance, reported an uptick in inquiries about moving to Canada, even before the election. However, Bell cautioned that while many Americans express a desire to move, few manage to follow through with their plans. “Immigrating to Canada is not easy, especially now with the government reducing the numbers of temporary and permanent migrants,” she said.
