Number of Americans seeking refugee status in Canada surges
Claiming persecution, more Americans seek to flee north
- Applications from American citizens seeking refugee status in Canada have surged since President Donald Trump's return to office.
- There were 245 refugee applications from US citizens in the first half of 2025, surpassing the 204 filed in the entirety of 2024.
- This uptick reflects a growing perception among some Americans that their safety and rights are threatened by the Trump administration's policies, particularly concerning LGBTQ+ rights.
- Eight lawyers said they have noted an increase in transgender Americans seeking to leave the US amid Trump’s crackdown on transgender rights.
- Despite the surge, US claims represent a small fraction of Canada's total refugee applications, and acceptance rates for US citizens have historically been low.