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Following Donald Trump’s second inauguration, the number of Americans applying for British citizenship has hit a record high, according to newly released data from the Home Office.
Over 1,930 US citizens submitted applications to become UK nationals in the first quarter of 2025 — a 12% increase from the previous quarter and the highest figure ever recorded.
The law firm Chambers and Sons reports that many applicants are from LGBTQ+ and other marginalized communities, alarmed by Trump’s early executive orders that have directly impacted their rights and safety.
Ono Okeregha, director of the Immigration Advice Service (IAS), explained to the Financial Times: “People are leaving due to fear, frustration, and financial insecurity. But more deeply, there’s a real concern for personal safety.”
Among those seeking British citizenship is rock musician Courtney Love, who announced at a Royal Geographical Society event that she expects to officially become a UK citizen within six months. “What’s happening at Mar-a-Lago is terrifying,” she said, referring to the Trump presidency.
Aside from political unrest, financial concerns — particularly around US taxation laws — are also motivating citizens to seek new passports, according to Alistair Bambridge of Bambridge Accountants.
IAS also revealed that traffic to Irish citizenship information rose 800% following Trump’s return to power. The UK, Canada, and Spain saw similar spikes, with the UK experiencing a 600% surge in interest.
Immigration lawyer Dina Modi noted that many of her American clients are unsettled by the Trump administration’s direction. “A lot of people no longer feel aligned with the current government,” she said. “There’s growing anxiety about the future — especially among same-sex couples who are fearful of renewed legal restrictions.”
Prominent LGBTQ+ figures like Ellen DeGeneres and Tom Ford have publicly voiced concerns over Trump’s policies and have relocated to the UK, choosing to settle in areas like the Cotswolds and Chelsea.
