Amid growing concerns over safety and political climate, several American families have chosen to relocate from the U.S., seeking asylum or residence primarily in Canada and the UK.
In recent actions, families from the U.S. have moved to other countries, citing safety and political reasons under President Trump's administration, the Daily Mail reported.
Katie Berg, alongside her husband Ted and their two children, decided to leave the U.S. immediately after President Trump was re-elected for a second term. Early in the morning of March 3, the Berg family arrived at the US-Canada border, seeking asylum. By opting for life in London, Ontario, they looked forward to more inclusive support for their children, one of whom is transgender and the other gender-fluid, both still in their early teens.
For Randall Cole, relocating was also a pressing decision. June 2024 marked his move to Ottawa, Canada with his autistic son and partner. Randall's primary motivation was to shield his family from the prevailing attitudes toward the LGBTQI+ community in the U.S., hoping to find peace and stability in a more accepting environment.
Another family, led by Jay Dupuis, felt compelled to relocate to the UK in July 2024. For Dupuis, the decision came in the wake of the Nashville school shooting, heightening his concerns about his children's safety and overall educational environment in the U.S., driving him to seek a safer upbringing for his family abroad.
According to Katie Berg, the tipping point was the Trump administration's handling of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, underscored by Vice President JD Vance's actions, which made her feel threatened for her children's future in the U.S. Her sentiment was captured in her words during an interview with DailyMail.com, "This is not a hissy fit... If you are not white, not male, you're going to be a target."
Concerns about President Trump's approach to minority groups and the general political atmosphere have affected many more than just the Bergs. “It's heartbreaking... [Trump's] just trying to protect the rich, not American citizens," expressed Katie Berg. She clarified their move as a step towards a better future for the children, emphasizing, "If my children can grow up safe, that's all that matters."
For families like Cole's, the political landscape in the U.S. became too much to bear. Randall Cole shared with DailyMail.com, "Everyone has their sense of what they can tolerate." Exhausted by the continual strain, he asserted, "I'm just tired of it. I just want to live my life in peace with my family."
Jay Dupuis echoed similar sentiments, stating, "It's not about me anymore, it's about my family." Reflecting on the state of safety in the U.S., he added, "Things like this don't get better with time. It was going to get worse... But I don't know what the government can do." This led him to pursue what he considered a necessity: "That's why I moved, I wanted a better life for my children."
As these families transition, Canadian and UK authorities must process their claims. Officials have not yet determined how many claims Americans specifically have made, but the trend shows a rising number, especially in the UK, where asylum applications spiked significantly in 2024, setting a record for U.S. citizens applying for citizenship.
This movement of families is highlighting broader issues of political dissatisfaction and concerns for personal safety, prompting individuals to seek stability and acceptance beyond their homeland's borders. The long-term impact of such migrations not only touches the lives of those moving but also sends a powerful message regarding the social and political climate they leave behind.
The decisions of these families underscore a larger narrative of seeking safety and better prospects, amplified by the political undertones of their homeland's governance. Their stories continue to unfold as they adapt to new lives in foreign lands, hoping for acceptance and peace that they felt was eroding at home.
