The number of Americans applying for Australian humanitarian protection visas has risen noticeably this year. Photo: File.
Americans have been increasingly seeking asylum in Australia since the inauguration of United States President Donald Trump.
US citizens normally make up less than 1 per cent of humanitarian protection visa applications, known as subclass 866 visa applications.
That’s minimal and not unusual considering the US is also a democracy where human rights are meant to be protected. However, America’s dramatically changing political and social landscape is seeing more of its people wanting to migrate.
Canada, the United Kingdom and Australia are their preferred countries, followed by France, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Spain, Germany and New Zealand.
A Harris Poll survey conducted early in the year found almost half of Americans (42 per cent) have considered or are planning to relocate outside the US.
They believe their quality of life and financial stability would improve elsewhere.
Interest in relocating is strongest among younger generations, with 63 per cent of Gen Z and 52 per cent of Millennials saying they have considered moving abroad.
Almost one in five in both those generational groups are seriously considering it.
Among American Gen Xers, 35 per cent have considered leaving the US, while 26 per cent of Boomers say they have considered it.
The Harris Poll’s chief strategy officer Libby Rodney said the survey suggested that for many, the American dream was evolving into an expat dream.
“As social media fills with stories of Americans building high-quality lives abroad, more people are getting curious,” she said.
“They’re not just imagining greener pastures – they’re actively exploring new countries, researching locations, and planning strategic relocations.
“These Americans are prioritising quality of life and safety, looking beyond US borders to find it.”
Financial strain, dissatisfaction with the current political leadership, and a desire for a higher quality of life top the list of reasons Americans say they are considering relocating.
Minority groups are increasingly fearing their rights may be at risk in the US.
Sixty-seven per cent of LGBTQIA+ Americans believe their rights are becoming more compromised in the US.
Fifty-eight per cent of American women are fearful over growing restrictions, and 57 per cent of black, Indigenous and people of colour (BIPOC) Americans feel their rights are under threat.
“Following the election, Americans across the political spectrum are re-evaluating their future in the US,” Ms Rodney said.
“Whether driven by concerns over personal rights or the search for financial opportunity, many are considering options beyond our borders.”
That sentiment appears to have cemented further across America since the poll’s results were reported.
Which brings us to the sudden rise in Australia’s humanitarian visa applications from US citizens.
The 866 onshore protection visas are available only to those who arrive in Australia on a valid visa before they seek asylum.
People granted a subclass 866 visa are allowed to stay in Australia permanently and can also eventually apply for full Australian citizenship.
But from a low base of fewer than five applications in the first months of this year, since April, subclass 866 visa applications from US citizens have jumped to at least 29 and possibly more.
A Freedom of Information search of Department of Home Affairs data, initiated by The Guardian, has revealed the increase, which has coincided with Mr Trump embarking on his second presidency and implementing a right-wing social policy agenda.
The department doesn’t disclose exact numbers, but the statistics show a minimum of 29 and a maximum of 38 applications from US citizens were lodged since Mr Trump took office.
No protection visas have been granted to US citizens so far this year (at least by the department’s last reporting date), but processing such applications can take many months to finalise.
Canada and Ireland have also recorded noticeable increases in the number of US citizens applying for humanitarian visas.
