Kevin and Jessica Cellura had just 48 hours in December to make an enormous family decision. The couple, who both work as teachers, had to decide if they should take a job offer to teach in Morocco and leave Asheville, North Carolina, with their two youngest children. But the Celluras say their decision was made easier by the presidential election results just weeks earlier. “We will get away from the chaos … I feel like the America as we knew it growing up is slipping away pretty fast,” Jessica Cellura told CNN. The Celluras are part of a growing stampede of Americans moving or making serious efforts to move abroad — or to obtain the citizenship rights that would allow them to do so. Tax lawyers and immigration advisors told CNN they have seen an uptick in requests from Americans seeking help with navigating the complex web of guidelines needed to relocate since Donald Trump’s election win. Jessica, 40, and Kevin, 52, told CNN they are unaffiliated voters. They cast their ballots for Democrat Kamala Harris in last year’s presidential election, though Kevin voted Republican in the 1990s. Their problems with the second Trump administration go well beyond the usual policy tussles and fierce disputes. “I feel like the government that we have is not based in reality. It is based in propaganda,” said Kevin Cellura, citing the January 6, 2021, insurrection at the US Capitol inspired by Trump’s repeated, false claims that former President Joe Biden had rigged the preceding presidential election. Trump’s reascension provided the “spark” the couple needed to fulfill a long-standing desire to move overseas, Kevin said. They are set to teach at a school in Morocco’s capital Rabat that follows the American model of education. They have one-way plane tickets on August 10. Official data from the United Kingdom, Ireland and Canada show a surge in the numbers of Americans applying to become citizens in recent months. More than 1,900 applied for a British passport during the first quarter of 2025, the most since the UK’s Home Office began keeping records in 2004. In Ireland, too, around 4,700 people residing in the United States applied for Irish citizenship based on their ancestry during the same period, according to the country’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade — the highest quarterly figure in a decade. It is impossible to know the personal stories behind thousands of data points, and the extent to which politics has played a role — if at all. Very often, people can only apply for citizenship after several years living in a country. Dina Modi, an immigration casework supervisor at Immigration Advice Service, a British firm providing legal assistance to people hoping to move to and from the UK, said her clients rarely relocate over a single reason like politics. She partly attributes the recent rush of Americans seeking British passports to changes in UK tax and immigration laws. A chunk of people simply need options, according to Modi. They have no concrete plans to move but want the ability to do so quickly. Other immigration advisors have witnessed the same impulse, telling CNN that some Americans view dual citizenship as a sort of insurance against what they perceive to be a deteriorating political landscape at home. The Celluras, though, are not hesitating to leave. “I’m not going to be a sitting duck. I’m going to figure out our exit strategy,” Jessica recalls thinking after November’s votes were tallied. ‘Political wildfire’ Before the build-up to the election, David Lesperance reckons he received a maximum of two inquiries per week from Americans wanting to relocate. Now, the head of Lesperance & Associates, a tax and immigration advisory firm, he fields as many as five per day. “(The) people who seek me out tend to be the people who feel they’re targets,” he said, noting that his clients tended to be wealthy, with the means to move abroad. In the days following Trump’s January executive order restricting gender-affirming medical care for young people, Lesperance said he received seven inquiries from parents with a trans child. For these families, he said, America represents a “political wildfire zone,” and “they can smell the smoke more than the average white heterosexual male with a MAGA hat on.” Melvin Warshaw, an international tax lawyer who sometimes works with Lesperance, said he has also received more inquiries from members of the LGBTQ+ community since the election. Another cadre of his clients are those who worry that America is “fast approaching an oligarchy or an autocracy.” Fundamentally, both groups believe “their rights are being deprived if they continue to live in the US,” according to Warshaw. Comedian Rosie O’Donnell offers one high-profile example. O’Donnell, who has traded public jibes with Trump for almost two decades, decamped to Ireland in January with her non-binary child, and is seeking citizenship based on her ancestry. “When it is safe for all citizens to have equal rights there in America, that’s when we will consider coming back,” she explained in a March posting on TikTok. ‘Ideological civil war’ Erik Lindsay did not leave America because of Trump per se, but he found that he could no longer stand the country’s deep political divisions. The 50-year-old screenwriter and novelist said the coronavirus pandemic provided the “catalyst” for his move from Manhattan Beach, California, to Italy in 2020 — a time in America he likened to an “ideological civil war” where people dying “had become politicized.” But Lindsay’s desire to relocate to his great-grandparents’ birthplace — and where he thus had a claim to citizenship — had been percolating since Trump’s first election in 2016 when he felt his friend group fracturing over politics. Lindsay has never voted for Trump, but he remembers the vitriolic reaction he received after posting a message on his Instagram account soon after the 2016 election imploring his anti-Trump friends to stay calm and take the long view of American history. “It just got venomous,” he said. Lindsay recently became an Italian citizen — though only just before the rules changed. Italy, like Britain, has started to tighten rules on who can claim passports and visas. In May, Rome enacted a law removing the route to citizenship through great-grandparents. Lindsay was lucky with his timing. Now, he can choose to live in Italy, or between Italy and America, at a whim. But life feels lighter in Italy. “To have any nuance in a conversation with anybody regarding politics that’s an American is impossible,” Lindsay said. “You can do it here.”
These Americans are done with Trump. So they’re leaving America
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"Growing Number of Americans Seek to Relocate Abroad Amid Political Discontent"
CNN
7.1
TruthLens AI Summary
Kevin and Jessica Cellura, a couple from Asheville, North Carolina, made a significant decision to relocate to Morocco with their two youngest children after being influenced by the recent presidential election results. Jessica expressed her disillusionment with the current state of America, stating, "We will get away from the chaos ... I feel like the America as we knew it growing up is slipping away pretty fast." Their choice to take teaching positions in Morocco was catalyzed by their discontent with the political climate, particularly the events surrounding Donald Trump's presidency, including the January 6 insurrection. They, like many other Americans, are part of an increasing trend of individuals seeking to move abroad or obtain citizenship in other countries, motivated by dissatisfaction with the current government and a desire for stability and safety for their families.
The uptick in Americans applying for citizenship in countries like the UK and Ireland highlights a broader trend, with immigration advisors reporting a surge in inquiries from people wanting to leave the U.S. Many are looking for options, seeing dual citizenship as a safeguard against perceived threats to their rights and freedoms at home. This sentiment is echoed by families with transgender children and individuals concerned about America’s political trajectory, who feel increasingly vulnerable. For some, like comedian Rosie O'Donnell, the decision to leave is rooted in a hope for a more equitable future. Others, like Erik Lindsay, left not solely because of Trump, but due to the deep political divisions and societal tensions exacerbated during the pandemic. As they navigate the complexities of immigration, these individuals reflect a growing sentiment among Americans seeking alternatives to life in a politically polarized environment.
TruthLens AI Analysis
The article highlights the experiences of Americans, specifically the Cellura family, who have decided to leave the United States, motivated largely by their discontent with the political climate following Donald Trump’s election win. This trend of emigration among Americans reflects a broader sentiment of dissatisfaction with the current state of the U.S. government and society.
Motivations for Leaving
The Celluras' decision to move to Morocco is deeply influenced by their perception of a chaotic political environment. Jessica Cellura expresses her belief that America is "slipping away" from the values they once knew, while Kevin Cellura cites a disconnect between the government and reality due to what he describes as propaganda. Their choice to emigrate is seen not only as a personal decision but also a response to a national crisis, particularly following the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021.
Public Sentiment and Trends
The article notes a notable increase in Americans seeking citizenship in other countries, particularly in the UK, Ireland, and Canada, suggesting a collective sentiment of disillusionment. This trend may indicate a growing desire for stability and a more favorable socio-political environment abroad. The mention of tax lawyers and immigration advisors witnessing a surge in requests underscores the seriousness with which many individuals are approaching the decision to leave.
Media's Role and Public Perception
The portrayal of the Celluras' story serves to illustrate a specific narrative about the impact of Trump’s presidency on American citizens. By focusing on personal anecdotes and the emotional turmoil behind their decision, the article seeks to resonate with readers who may share similar feelings of discontent. It appears to aim at creating a sense of community among those contemplating emigration, fostering a collective identity among dissatisfied Americans.
Potential Impacts
This article could influence public opinion by normalizing the idea of emigration as a viable solution to political dissatisfaction. It may encourage others to consider relocating, potentially impacting the labor market and socio-political landscape in the U.S. Additionally, as more Americans seek citizenship abroad, there could be economic implications for both the U.S. and the countries they choose to move to.
Audience and Support Base
The narrative seems to appeal more to progressive communities and individuals disillusioned with the current political landscape, especially those who are anti-Trump. It may resonate with younger voters or those in urban areas who feel that their values are not reflected in the national policies being enacted.
Economic and Market Considerations
While the article does not directly address economic ramifications, the migration of skilled professionals like teachers could have long-term effects on the U.S. education system. This trend may also influence markets related to immigration services and international relocation, potentially benefiting companies that facilitate these processes.
Global Context
In the context of global political dynamics, this trend of American emigration could reflect a broader dissatisfaction with democracy and governance worldwide. As countries face their own political challenges, the movement of citizens seeking better opportunities abroad may shape international relations and immigration policies.
Use of Artificial Intelligence
While there is no explicit indication that AI was used in the writing of this article, the structured narrative and attention to emotional appeal suggest that data-driven insights might have informed the presentation. AI models could have been utilized to analyze public sentiment surrounding Trump’s presidency, influencing how such stories are framed in the media.
The article ultimately serves to highlight a growing trend among Americans seeking alternatives to the current political climate, seeking to evoke empathy and understanding from its readers. It provides a lens through which to view the emotional and practical implications of political dissatisfaction, making it both relevant and impactful.