The interest of most Americans in Irish citizenship had been steadily growing, however, it skyrocketed after January 2025. Usually, they simply had a desire to gain EU-wide travel rights and access to the European market, but there has been a recent surge since 2025, and that is what we are here to find out.
This surge is currently named ‘the American Exodus,’ and it refers to how a large number of Americans are seeking citizenship in other countries mainly because of political concerns, a desire for a better life, or economic challenges.
In this article, you will discover the reason behind this surge, how Americans are getting this residency and citizenship, and the implications of American exodus to Ireland.
Surge in Irish Citizenship Applications From US Citizens After January 2025.
To understand the extent of the surge, let’s look at the number of Americans who migrated to Ireland in previous years. In 2024, Ireland’s Department of Justice recorded 30,000 decisions on Irish citizenship applications, and a year before that (2023), it was 20,000 decisions.
Most US citizens of Irish descent were exploring getting an Irish passport to connect with their ancestry. However, after Trump was sworn in as President, most of them are getting worried that they might need it.
A report by Henley & Partners shows that there was an almost 400% increase during election week, and after President Trump was sworn in, that number radically increased.
Lots of Americans were experiencing high anxiety during the election period, and immigration lawyers reported a surge in calls from Americans who wished to leave the US and secure citizenship in other locations.
The reason behind this could be captured by the statement of Evan Green, the managing partner at Green and Spiegel Law in Toronto:
“People know what’s coming, and because of that, they’re far more motivated to move.”
Could this be true, or are there other reasons behind what’s driving the increase in US citizens applying for Irish nationality?
Why Are More Americans Applying for Irish Citizenship in 2025?
The testimonies of Americans who were granted Irish citizenship show that some Americans were seeking to reconnect with their roots.
Great examples are John Portmann, an Arizona Professor, who discovered his Irish heritage through a DNA test, and Sean O’Connor, a LinkedIn user, who knew of his ancestor’s journey to the US and how he has always been Irish.
However, people like Erin Clayton sought to get Irish citizenship as a safety net in case Trump’s presidency changed their circumstances.
Looking at the increasing number of people identifying with Irish heritage shows that the US and Ireland have a strong historical connection. This connection may have been established when most Irish immigrants – including those of Scottish or English descent from Ulster – came to America in the 19th century.
The divisions and intensifying political climate made many Americans not trust the stability of the US after the 2024 election. 53% of wealthy Americans considered relocating abroad, while few others planned to completely sever ties with the US.
Besides the political and social reasons, most Americans, especially those in business, want to take advantage of the 500 million consumers within the EU and the high standard of living in Ireland.
The pay in certain sectors in Ireland, especially tech, is usually competitive, if not higher than what is paid in the US. Also, Ireland offers attractive welfare systems such as parental leave, healthcare and unemployment benefits, and a generally safe environment.
How Americans Are Gaining Irish Passports Amid Political Changes in the US.
Due to the strong historical connection between Ireland and the US, most Americans can claim a connection to a parent or a grandparent who was an Irish citizen at the time of their birth.
If you believe of are an Irish citizen by descent, you may need to provide documentation to prove it. You can present a birth certificate to that effect. If you were born in America but your parents are Irish, then to get Irish citizenship, you will have to apply to register your birth with the Foreign Births Register.
Another method of obtaining Irish citizenship is through naturalization. Applicants who meet the specified requirements will be made to take an oath of allegiance to the country. For an applicant to be eligible, he/she needs to have at least 5 years of legal residency, have a clean criminal record, and show an understanding of the country’s language (at least to a degree).
Some applicants experience difficulties during application due to minor criminal records such as cautions or warnings, ongoing legal cases, background checks by the Garda Siochana, not meeting residency requirements, or not providing sufficient documentation.
These challenges can be avoided if the applicant starts working with qualified and reputable legal professionals even before he or she begins his/her application.
The Implications of an American Exodus to Ireland
As more Americans keep moving to Ireland, it will boost the economic growth of the economy, encourage cultural exchange, and ease labor shortages. Skilled American workers can facilitate a brain exchange with Ireland’s open labor market.
However, it can strain the housing market and infrastructure. This can cause the country to become congested and housing costs to increase, especially in major cities. Socially, some areas in Ireland getting disadvantaged by the increasing immigration may develop negative attitudes towards the immigrants.
With 25% of Americans planning to leave the country and the mass deportation of most American residents, the country is facing a severe loss of skilled workers and professionals and a significant reduction in tax revenues and gross domestic product by 4.2% to 6.8%.
While most people are recovering from the shock of the immigration surge, others opine that this is just the beginning. It then begs the question, was the surge just a trend, a mere temporary phenomenon, or are more Americans planning to leave the US?
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