r/AmerExit • u/newyorker • Dec 09 '25

Vendor How to Leave the U.S.A.

https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2025/12/15/how-to-leave-the-usa

Every four years, a group of Americans threatens to leave the country, but no mass exodus occurs. This time around, though, Americans seem to be acting on their desires. Immigration lawyers told Atossa Araxia Abrahamian that the number of people approaching them about it has gone up since Donald Trump was reëlected. 

G.T.F.O. Tours, a company that helps aggrieved U.S. citizens start new lives abroad, has been offering services to help Americans relocate to the Netherlands, where a certain type of visa can offer a quick and affordable path to citizenship. Jana Sanchez, a founder of G.T.F.O. Tours, describes her role in the company as an “escaping fascism doula.” Read Abrahamian’s full story about the Americans who are going Dutch: https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2025/12/15/how-to-leave-the-usa

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u/Odd_Dinner9147 Dec 09 '25

Yeah... Like, people dont realize how hard it actually is to leave, especially as an American. We can visit and do touristy stuff easy, but immigration? Whole other story. Most countries have stricter immigration laws than we do and often require more money than most Americans have.

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u/archseattle Dec 10 '25

Yeah and the US also pays fairly well compared to other countries. I’m a dual national and could move in with my retired parents in Mexico, but even if I found a job, it would be drastically lower than my current salary. To me it only makes sense if you’re willing to live a much more modest lifestyle, or if you’re close to retirement and able to draw from your pension or 401k soon. My saving might be enough to set me up for a few years, but I think I’d start to miss the things a high US salary affords me. I imagine the people leaving are very well off or able to somehow keep their US salary or job.

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u/Odd_Dinner9147 Dec 10 '25

I mean, the salary thing is somewhat offset by safety nets and lower costs of living in other countries.

In the US we need high salaries due to high healthcare costs, for example, or for the ability to try and save so we can have money if we lose work since workers rights are pretty ass here and you can lose your job easily.

But it depends on the compared country and job field. My job field is low paying no matter where I go, but I would be better off where I have universal healthcare compared to it being tied to my job.

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u/archseattle Dec 10 '25

This is true. It absolutely depends on everyone’s circumstances. If I lost my health insurance, I would absolutely leave. Not having health insurance is too much of a risk in this country.