Gen Z Dreamer Vows to Leave Trump’s America: ‘Don’t Feel Safe’

Prior to the election on November 5, a number of celebrities vowed to pack their bags and leave the U.S. if former President Donald Trump were to be elected again. The high-profile names include actresses Barbra Streisand, America Ferrera and Eva Longoria.

As you’re probably aware by now, Trump declared victory in the election just hours after polls closed. In a speech given from Florida, the president-elect, hailed it as a “political victory that our country has never seen before.” His victory saw gains among Black and Hispanic people, helping him to win over 75.8 million votes.

But not everyone was happy, and some famous faces will now be considering their options and may be seeking pastures new. It’s not just celebrities either, as Briany Yamilet Lopez Rodas, 26, told Newsweek via email that the result “was very heartbreaking” and she plans to leave the U.S. immediately.

Having lived in the country since 2006, calling Bay Area, California, her home, Rodas feels the country is forever changed and no longer offers her the same opportunities. The Generation Zer—people born between 1997 and 2012—is planning to leave before the inauguration on January 20, 2025, and considering relocating to somewhere in Europe, including Norway or Ireland.

Rodas said: “Before opening my eyes on the morning after the election, I promised myself that if Donald Trump had won, I would leave.

“I don’t feel safe in a country where racism and violence are being praised. I’m afraid there will be an increase in violent hate crimes against my community. I feel exploited and burned out from overworking to provide so much for this country, then to be told I should go back to my country,” she continued.

Rodas, whose family originates from Guatemala, is a Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipient. DACA applicants, also commonly known as dreamers, must have entered the U.S. before turning 16, lived in the country continuously since June 15, 2007, completed high school or GED, and have no prior convictions.

The program grants people a temporary reprieve from deportation, giving them access to work authorization, education, healthcare and a driver’s license. As of March 2023, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services said there were approximately 578,000 active DACA recipients.

One of Trump’s policies is to deport illegal immigrants en masse, potentially targeting between 11 million and 14 million people, including those who have lived in the U.S. for decades. Newsweek has contacted a spokesperson for President-elect Trump via email.

“To me, being a DACA recipient means being a well-rounded individual. We are one of the most disciplined and hardworking groups of people. It means doing everything in your power to make people proud by getting a higher education and advancing in your career,” Rodas told Newsweek.

While it’s been a lifeline for Rodas, it’s also been “emotionally draining” to never truly know if her status was safe. For a time, she considered becoming a U.S. citizen to gain permanent legal status and freedom to travel (as DACA recipient cannot leave the U.S).

That changed when Trump was first elected in 2016, and she felt compelled to look at other options. The fear has stayed with her since, and now he’s been elected for a second term, she’s too scared to think about what might happen if she stays.

“I could see people’s hate starting to rise and be more evident during his last presidency,” Rodas said. “We are demoralized and called criminals to justify people’s hate towards us. It’s important for me to give my knowledge, skills, and money to a country that values my work and sees me as an equal human being instead.”

Alex Ingrim, a financial adviser with Chase Buchanan USA, previously told Newsweek that Trump’s return to office could cause a surge in Americans wanting to leave the country. Although, perhaps only a small percentage will actually take the leap.

Ingrim said: “You need more than political reasons for making a move including increased quality of life, sense of adventure, being closer to family. Sacrificing time with friends and family or your hobbies just for political reasons is a hard choice. And there are far fewer employment opportunities abroad than in the U.S.”

Rodas has started selling her belongings on Facebook Marketplace and donated many items to charity. Fortunately, she isn’t moving by herself as she’s going to take her nine-year-old chihuahua along for the ride.

Of course, Rodas cannot say for certain that she would have stayed had Kamala Harris won, but she thinks it would have granted her more time to decide if the U.S. could offer her “a better future.”

How Did Social Media React?

Rodas took to social media (@briany.r on Instagram and @brianylopez3 on TikTok) to reveal that she’s “fleeing America” and was inundated with support. She’s even connected with others who are thinking of emigrating to Europe or Mexico.

She’s been delighted by the response to her video, which has over 27,000 views on TikTok. Many people encouraged her to keep going and keep her head up high. Although there were some people who said she’s overreacting and that she wouldn’t be deported.

Rodas said: “I would love to relocate to Norway or Ireland because I would feel safest in those countries. I’m also looking into Spain, since they will grant citizenship after two years of legal residence for nationals of Latin American countries.

“Wherever I go, I hope I can feel safe and appreciated for all my work and efforts provided to the country. I hope to have autonomy, freedom, and no men carrying signs saying that women are their property,” she continued.