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Following Donald Trump’s return to the White House in the 2024 U.S. presidential election, there has been a notable increase in the number of African Americans exploring relocation outside the United States.
Although this is not considered a large-scale migration, recent trends suggest a growing interest among some African Americans in living abroad, a move largely driven by concerns about safety, political climate, and racial equity.
Immigration lawyers, relocation consultants, and expatriate communities have reported rising inquiries from African Americans seeking information on residency opportunities in countries such as Mexico, Canada, Portugal, the United Kingdom, and Ghana.
Data compiled after the November 2024 election shows a spike in online searches like “how to move to Mexico” and “how to get residency in Portugal,” indicating renewed urgency in researching pathways out of the U.S.
While African Americans remain a critical voting bloc in U.S. politics, with 86% reportedly backing Democratic candidate Kamala Harris, according to Edison Research, Trump’s victory has triggered uncertainty in some communities.
His policy promises, such as ending federal diversity and inclusion programs, along with rhetoric criticized by civil rights groups, have contributed to fears of a rollback in civil rights protections.
Multiple reports indicate that motivations for leaving are based on four key concerns, physical safety, protection of rights, economic stability, and social climate.
According to many African Americans, safety remains a major issue. The presence of police violence and unequal treatment by law enforcement continue to weigh heavily on African American communities.
For some, moving abroad is viewed as a way to reduce daily exposure to perceived threats. In interviews with Reuters, Black voters expressed worry that Trump’s return to office could embolden discriminatory practices and reduce accountability.
“I just think he is a dangerous human being, there’s no telling what could happen with him back in charge,” Sondra Walker, a teacher from North Carolina, said.
Though no country is free of racism, some African Americans believe they can navigate life more peacefully outside the U.S.
Again, the political direction of the country under Trump’s administration has raised concerns over the future of racial equity. Specific fears include restrictions on education policies, the erosion of affirmative action, and a broader pushback against efforts to address systemic racism.
For some, the 2024 election outcome served as confirmation that the broader electorate does not support policies designed to protect minority rights.
Also, some cite economic opportunity as another motivating factor. While the U.S. job market remains competitive, high living costs, disparities in income and wealth, and barriers to entrepreneurship have led some African Americans to look elsewhere for stability.
Countries with lower costs of living and fewer structural barriers such as Portugal, Ghana, and Mexico, have become increasingly attractive destinations.
Moreover, the overall social environment, including racial tensions, divisive political discourse, and cultural marginalization, has also made some individuals feel less welcome in their own country. Some see relocation as an opportunity to find communities where they feel safer, more respected, or less surveilled.
“There’s a spirit of divisiveness, a Trump victory threatens to arrest progress on closing those gaps,” said Katrena Holmes, a small business owner in Georgia who supported Kamala Harris.
At a July 2024 event with Black journalists, Trump claimed immigrants were taking “Black jobs,” referring to roles in housekeeping and landscaping.
Critics said the comment re-echoed long standing racial stereotypes. “That’s what he thinks of us,” said Mary Spencer, a retired nurse in Wisconsin. “That we only strive to do the jobs that immigrants come to do.”
In Mexico, for example, Black expatriate communities have grown over the last several years. While racial profiling by local authorities remains a challenge, many U.S. expats report feeling less policed and freer in their daily lives.
Online groups such as “Black Expats in Mexico” have helped connect newcomers, share resources, and support community building.
Ghana has also attracted growing interest from African Americans, particularly since its 2019 “Year of Return” campaign, which encouraged members of the African diaspora to reconnect with their ancestral roots.
An estimated 10,000 to 15,000 African Americans now reside in the country, many citing cultural ties and perceived racial solidarity as key reasons for relocating.
However, despite the growing interest in relocation, significant barriers remain. Immigration processes can be complex, expensive, and time-consuming. Not all who express interest in leaving the U.S. ultimately do so.
Some explore the option as a form of contingency planning, while others relocate temporarily before deciding whether to make the move permanent.
At the same time, political and civil rights organizations across the U.S. continue to call for engagement rather than departure.
Groups like Win With Black Women and the NAACP have highlighted the importance of continued participation in U.S. civic life, urging African Americans to mobilize, vote, and advocate for policies that protect their communities.
Still, for a certain number of individuals, the decision to consider life abroad is not about abandoning the fight at home, but about reclaiming peace, safety, and autonomy especially at a time when they feel those things are under threat.
“You don’t leave your country lightly,” one Black expat told Capital B. “But when it feels like it doesn’t love you back, you stop waiting for it to change.”
Most of those considering relocation are still in the exploratory phase, however, what remains clear is that Trump’s re-election has accelerated this shift.
For some African Americans, the risks of staying now outweigh the costs of leaving. Whether this will result in permanent migration remains to be seen.
By: Joshua Narh