While millions aspire to become American citizens, a growing number of U.S. nationals abroad are voluntarily renouncing their citizenship—a trend increasingly fueled not just by taxes or bureaucracy, but by political frustration. According to a 2025 survey, nearly half of Americans living overseas are considering giving up their citizenship, with more than half citing dissatisfaction with the U.S. government or political direction. Issues such as the January 6 Capitol riot, rising gun violence, threats to voting rights, and partisan extremism are repeatedly mentioned as catalysts for this decision.
Historically, renunciation was driven mainly by practical considerations: the U.S. taxes its citizens regardless of residence, requiring annual filings that can create complex financial burdens, including double taxation. Banks abroad sometimes refuse services to American clients due to stringent reporting requirements. However, legal experts now report a marked rise in political motivations. Expats increasingly cite frustration with the country’s leadership, cultural polarization, and deteriorating civic norms as reasons to sever formal ties.
One anonymous American in London described his renunciation process the morning after Donald Trump’s re-election as a personal “divorce” from the country. Similarly, Colleen McCutcheon, a 33-year-old Ohio-born expat living in London, cited cumulative political, social, and healthcare concerns as factors that eroded her sense of being American. For her, and many like her, renunciation represents both a symbolic and legal severing from the nation.
The renunciation process itself is costly and irreversible, requiring a formal application at a U.S. embassy or consulate, an in-person interview, and a substantial fee. Lawyers warn that once completed, former citizens may face stricter scrutiny when entering the U.S. and lose benefits previously taken for granted, including voting rights and the ease of reentry.
Interestingly, while some Americans are leaving, thousands still risk dangerous and illegal routes to enter the U.S., including via South and Central America, often paying high sums to agents and risking their lives. Meanwhile, the Trump administration has tightened Green Card and citizenship processes, implementing more rigorous civics exams, expanded interviews, and deeper evaluation of applicants’ “good moral character.”
Canada has seen a parallel effect. Following the 2024 U.S. presidential election, immigration lawyers in Toronto reported a 300% increase in inquiries from Americans exploring permanent residency or citizenship in Canada. Many of these individuals have no prior ties to the country but are motivated by political dissatisfaction, uncertainty, and fears of economic instability at home.
In sum, renunciation of U.S. citizenship is no longer solely about tax and logistics; it has become a political statement. The trend highlights growing alienation among Americans abroad, reflecting deep fractures in domestic politics and a broader global perception of instability and polarization in the United States.
