Evacuation Plan
Some Americans are preparing for the worst case scenario come November. Should you?
As American citizens live through yet another contentious year punctuated by political division, violence, and economic uncertainty, fears are rising that civil unrest, economic collapse, or even war, might be on the horizon. Some are choosing to pick up stakes and move overseas. Here’s how.
WASHINGTON — The new film War Games features a bipartisan group of U.S. defense, intelligence, and elected officials from five presidential administrations engaged in a fictional role-play exercise, commonly known as a wargame. In this scenario, a fictional President and his advisors face a political coup backed by rogue members of the U.S. military following a contested 2024 presidential election. The participants have just six hours to prevent the collapse of American democracy.
Siddhant Adlakha, writing in Variety, compared War Games to Alex Garland's Civil War, where a conflict breaks out between a despotic government and secessionist movements. He noted that War Games exposes the vulnerabilities within America’s political system, a theme that resonates in today's turbulent political climate.
The possibility of such unrest isn’t purely fictional. A recent Marist National Poll revealed that 47% of Americans believe a second civil war could occur in their lifetime. Corrupt government officials and economic collapse are among the top fears, according to the Chapman University Survey of American Fears. A new poll released this week by The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights found voters across the country are very worried about political violence (73%) and threats to democracy (81%).
Given the current climate, more Americans are exploring dual citizenship or foreign residency as a safeguard. Could this become the new American Dream, where people prepare for a potential breakdown of society?
A Country on Edge
Americans are understandably anxious heading into the election. A Bloomberg Economics analysis found a 2.9% chance of open civil unrest in the U.S. next year, placing it third among major global economies, just behind Russia and Turkey. The study cited the erosion of democratic institutions and growing factional grievances as drivers of potential conflict, making the U.S. far more unstable than peer democracies like Canada and Germany.
Former President Donald Trump, a Republican candidate for 2024, has added fuel to the fire by targeting various groups in his speeches. His threats of mass deportations, revenge on political opponents, and purges of federal civil servants have heightened concerns about the country’s stability. Trump’s rhetoric has recently escalated to extreme levels, including a call for a day of violence akin to the dystopian film The Purge.
Outside of politics, gun violence remains a persistent issue. The Gun Violence Archive reports over 400 mass shootings in the U.S. this year alone, and more than 600 each year for the past four years. Firearms have become the leading cause of death among American children and teens.
Economic worries are also growing. Despite low inflation, unemployment, increasing GDP and a booming stock market, the gap between Wall Street and Main Street is widening. Rising costs of housing, healthcare, and groceries have far outpaced wage growth, threatening the financial well-being of millions of Americans.
Planning for Uncertainty
In response to these uncertainties, some wealthy Americans are securing dual citizenship or foreign residency as part of their wealth planning. Tech billionaire Peter Thiel, former Google CEO Eric Schmidt, and actor Tom Hanks have all obtained second residencies in New Zealand, Cyprus, and Greece, respectively. Michael Cohen, Trump’s former attorney, even stated he would flee the country if Trump is re-elected, fearing political persecution.
It's not just the ultra-wealthy who are considering such moves. A March 2024 Monmouth University poll found that more than a third of Americans would move abroad if they had the means. The State Department estimates that around 9 million U.S. citizens currently live abroad, a number that has doubled since 1999.
For those considering relocation, pathways like Golden Visa programs, worker visas, remote worker visas, and retirement visas provide different opportunities depending on one’s financial situation, skills, or life stage. Countries like Portugal, Spain, Canada, Australia, and Costa Rica offer these options, often in exchange for investments or specialized skills.
Taking the Leap
Securing second citizenship or residency isn’t just about escaping potential unrest—it can also provide better work-life balance, political stability, or social protection. Golden Visa programs allow individuals to gain residency by making significant financial investments, often in real estate or local businesses. Meanwhile, countries like Canada and Germany are actively recruiting skilled workers, while others are promoting remote work or retirement visas to attract expatriates.
Before making a move, individuals should do their homework and thoroughly research each country’s tax laws, healthcare systems, and cultural barriers. Consulting with immigration experts or lawyers can also help smooth the transition, particularly if the political situation in the U.S. deteriorates come November.