As the 2024 US election began signaling a second term for Donald Trump, many Americans started exploring options for relocating abroad.
Google analytics revealed remarkable increases in emigration-related searches. Queries for “move to Canada” increased by 1,270 per cent within 24 hours after East Coast polls closed on Tuesday.
Searches about relocating to New Zealand saw a nearly 2,000per cent rise, while Australia-related queries increased by 820 per cent.
By late Wednesday evening on the US East Coast, emigration-related searches for all three countries reached unprecedented levels, according to a Google representative.
While specific figures weren’t disclosed by Google, the Immigration New Zealand website recorded approximately 25,000 new American visitors on November 7, a significant increase from 1,500 visitors on the same date the previous year.
Immigration legal professionals are experiencing a surge in enquiries, news agency Reuters reported.
“Every half hour there is a new email enquiry,” said Evan Green, managing partner at Canada’s oldest immigration law firm, Green and Spiegel.
The surge in interest in emigration mirrors the reaction seen after Trump’s 2016 victory. This time, however, the Republican’s re-election follows an especially divisive campaign, with nearly three-quarters of US voters expressing concern that American democracy is at risk, according to Edison Research exit polls.
Citizens express concern about increasing polarisation between Democrats and Republicans regarding social issues, including race relations, gender equality, educational curriculum, and reproductive rights.
“Trump is obviously the impetus, but it’s also societal. The majority of Americans voted for him and some people don’t necessarily feel comfortable living in that kind of society anymore. People are afraid they are going to lose freedoms,” said Green.
The Reddit community “r/AmerExit” has become a platform where hundreds discuss potential destinations, visa requirements, and employment opportunities. Several members expressed concerns about national stability and personal safety following Trump’s election.
Heather Bell, an immigration consultant at Vancouver’s Bell Alliance, noted these concerns were prevalent among Americans seeking Canadian immigration even before the election.
“Immigrating to Canada is not easy, especially now with the government reducing the numbers of temporary and permanent migrants coming to Canada,” she said.
However, Bell indicated that few successfully complete the relocation process.
