Once the symbol of opportunity for millions around the world, the American Dream is now being redefined by Americans themselves. Especially in the aftermath of the protests and social unrest that erupted in Los Angeles in June 2025, the idea of living abroad has gained unprecedented attention among US citizens.
Rising living costs, growing feelings of insecurity, and deepening political polarization are prompting high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) to diversify their investments and lives geographically. This shift has elevated the concept of “the right to live without being tied to a single country,” turning investment-based residence and citizenship programs into a modern-day “Plan B strategy.”
The surge in interest among US citizens in Golden Visa programs offered by countries like Portugal, Greece, and Malta reflects a transformation that is not merely economic, it is also psychological and socio-cultural.
The sharp rise in Google searches for “how to move out of the USA,” overseas property acquisitions, and second passport applications all indicate that today’s investment decisions are increasingly driven by a desire for stability and freedom, not just returns.
What Happened in Los Angeles?
- On June 6, 2025, protests broke out in Los Angeles following a series of federal immigration raids.
- The ICE-led operations resulted in numerous arrests and quickly drove thousands into the streets.
- The demonstrations escalated rapidly and spread across different neighborhoods.
- Aggressive interventions by local police and federal agents only heightened tensions. The Trump administration’s decision to deploy National Guard and Marine forces-despite objections from California state authorities-further intensified the unrest.
- Curfews were declared, hundreds were detained, journalists were injured, and incidents of looting and arson were reported in several areas.
- The crisis sparked not only security concerns but also constitutional debates over federal authority and intervention.
- For many affluent individuals, these events served as a turning point-pushing them to reassess their long-term life strategies and explore alternatives beyond US borders.
Security and Quality of Life Concerns
Federal immigration raids conducted by ICE across workplaces and warehouses in Los Angeles earlier this month triggered widespread -and at times violent- protests. In response, National Guard and Marine Corps units were deployed to the city center.
The presence of armed federal forces in major American cities has significantly undermined public perceptions of safety. The economic repercussions of this crisis were felt almost immediately, with declines in tourism and disruptions to local business operations quickly reported.
The City of Angels Under the Shadow of Protests: A Sharp Decline in Tourism
Tourism took a major hit. According to SFGate, hotel reservations in Downtown LA faced widespread cancellations, especially around the scheduled Dodgers-Giants baseball series, which encountered serious logistical issues.
Reuters: Los Angeles Tourism is Under Fire
According to Reuters, Los Angeles tourism is under fire as intense immigration protests have triggered the deployment of the National Guard. An emergency travel advisory has been issued for tourists from Canada, Brazil, and Mexico. For now, Los Angeles remains a pressured yet dynamic and globally beloved city. Its usual energy, creativity, and charm haven’t disappeared, but due to the rising smoke and tension, they’ve become harder to see.
Airlines, hotels, and global tour operators are making adjustments. Until peace and clarity return to its streets, Los Angeles tourism stands at a turning point.
Visit California reported an expected 1% drop in total visitors to the state in 2025, with a 9.2% decline in international arrivals. NBC Los Angeles further noted that the Los Angeles Tourism and Convention Board anticipates a 25-30% decrease in international tourists compared to the previous year.
According to The Wall Street Journal, many businesses in Downtown including restaurants, stores, and small enterprises sales plunge by as much as 80% due to unrest-related disruptions, with some nearing closure.
In addition, CBS News reported that fear among undocumented immigrant communities led to significant workforce dropouts in certain industries, further slowing local economic activity.
At Get Golden Visa, we’ve been tracking this shift for years. In our original 2022 report, The Great American Exodus, and its 2024 follow-up, we identified a clear trend: a rising number of Americans are actively pursuing second residencies or citizenships abroad. And our latest update “The Great American Exodus: Revisited” explores this trend in the wake of recent unrest and growing social instability in cities like Los Angeles.
What we’re seeing now is more urgent and more personal.
From rising living costs to public safety concerns, Americans are increasingly looking to Europe and beyond for security, affordability, and a better quality of life. Countries like Portugal, Spain, and Italy have become top choices, especially for retirees and remote workers, due to accessible healthcare systems, lower housing costs, and attractive visa programs.
Our research shows a significant increase in inquiries between 2023 and 2024 a 55% spike in Americans identifying migration as their “Plan A.”
This isn’t just speculation, it’s a shift in mindset.
The Percentage and Motivations of Americans Who Want to Emigrate
Source: Fast Company
Top Destinations and Investment Migration Programs
Source: TalkResearch
Rising Interest Among Americans in Relocating Abroad: A Data-Backed Trend
Search Engine Trends: Digital Signals of Migration
Between 2023 and 2024, there has been a significant increase in keywords such as “How to move abroad from the US,” “second citizenship,” gand “Golden Visa.” According to Google Trends, these search terms have grown by 30-45%.
- "Plan A"
- According to our data, between 2023 and 2024, there was a 55% increase in inquiries from individuals looking to migrate as their "Plan A".
- Exploration among Americans of alternative citizenship and residency options
- These digital signals point to a conscious exploration among Americans of alternative citizenship and residency options.
USCIS and Real Estate Data: From Portfolio Diversification to Geographic Distribution
High-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) are increasingly turning to real estate investments in Europe to diversify not only their financial portfolios but also their geographic exposure. Countries such as Portugal, Greece, and Malta are seeing a rise in property acquisitions. According to the 2024 World Wealth Report (WWR) report, the assets of US-based HNWIs grew by 7.4% in 2023, with a notable portion directed toward real estate and alternative residency planning (WWR 2024, p. 9).
Education and Child-Focused Migration Trends
Many American investors now plan not just for themselves but also with their children’s future in mind. Residency in an EU country enables children to access publicly funded university systems. The ability to participate in the EU education infrastructure has become one of the key motivators for Golden Visa applicants.
The Strategic Role of the Golden Visa for US Passport Holders
Golden Visa Advantages Beyond Travel: Tax, Residency & Asset Protection
Although US citizens enjoy visa-free access to many countries, Golden Visa programs offer more comprehensive advantages for investors. These include tax planning, estate management, alternative residency rights, and legal protection. Wealthy individuals managing assets across multiple regions increasingly require flexible, multi-jurisdictional residency models.
Real Estate Ownership and Educational Infrastructure in the EU
Americans who acquire residency through Golden Visa programs gain the ability to enroll their children in EU universities and access social benefit-making this pathway especially attractive for family-focused investors.
A US Passport Is “Sufficient” But Not “Flexible”
Because US citizens are subject to worldwide taxation and stringent financial scrutiny, many are seeking residency in countries with more flexible tax and residency regimes.
Golden Visas as Perceived “Safe Havens”
A Shield Against Social Unrest
Recent protests and crises in major US cities like Los Angeles have prompted investors to reconsider the risks of living in a single country. Concerns around upcoming elections, policy uncertainty, and inflation are pushing HNWIs to build resilience through geographic diversification.
More Than Financial- A Sense of Psychological Security
Golden Visa programs offer not only economic advantages but also psychological benefits such as family safety, peace of mind, and improved quality of life. Investors today seek more than financial performance, they are looking for emotional assurance and behavioral guidance.
Europe’s Stability Advantage
Countries offering Golden Visas, such as Portugal, Malta, and Greece, are perceived as safe havens thanks to their political stability, low crime rates, and quality public services. Europe’s HNW wealth growth is driven by tourism, luxury spending, and consistent public policy-making these countries increasingly attractive for investment-based migration.
Investment Is No Longer Just About Returns-It’s About Security, Optionality, and Peace of Mind
The recent social unrest in Los Angeles is not merely a localized crisis, it reflects a broader inflection point in how high-net-worth individuals and families approach long-term life planning. Holding a US passport, once considered the ultimate tool for global mobility, is increasingly seen as insufficient on its own. Today, legal, geographic, and psychological flexibility is becoming the new currency of security.
In this context, investment migration programs -whether through residency or citizenship- are emerging not simply as vehicles for financial gain but as strategic tools for safeguarding quality of life. Rising international real estate investments, education-driven relocation choices, and shifts toward favorable tax jurisdictions all validate this transformation, both through data and real-world behavior.
For many Americans, a Golden Visa is no longer just a “backup passport”, it’s a pathway to a new life. One that minimizes risk, unlocks global access, and restores a sense of agency-not only for today’s uncertainties but also for tomorrow’s opportunities.
