A growing number of Black Americans are considering life abroad as political uncertainty and social pressures mount in the United States, with Portugal emerging as a notable destination, according to a new social media report shared by DW Euromaxx.
In a video posted on Instagram by @dw_euromaxx, several Black Americans living in Portugal reflected on their motivations for leaving the U.S. and their experiences adjusting to life in Europe.
The discussion comes amid heightened political tensions in the United States following President Donald Trump’s return to office, prompting some Americans to reassess their sense of safety, belonging, and long-term wellbeing.
“Many Americans want to leave the U.S. right now because of Trump,” the video notes, adding that Black Americans in particular often question what life in Europe might look like for them.
Portugal, the report highlights, is drawing interest due to its low harassment rates, relatively relaxed social environment, and increasingly diverse population.
One contributor, Kam, described a sense of urgency following the U.S. election outcome.
“I had a level of fear that Trump was going to win again, and I was like, I need to get out of the U.S.,” Kam said. Since relocating. Another contributor, Asha, noted that life in Portugal has felt “like a lot less pressure” compared to the United States.
The speakers were careful, however, to acknowledge nuance. Racism, they said, exists everywhere, including in Europe. Yet some felt their experience in Portugal has been shaped by what they described as “American privilege,” which may influence how they are treated socially and institutionally.
“I don’t feel as though I’ve been directly impacted,” another contributor, Danielle, explained, adding that being American can sometimes act as a buffer in navigating racial dynamics abroad.
Beyond race, safety was a key consideration. One speaker stressed the importance of evaluating security not only in terms of physical violence but also broader issues of control, freedom, and mental wellbeing.
“I 100% feel like I belong here and I have a right to be here,” Danielle said.
The video concludes with a message directed at Americans contemplating relocation: choosing to leave, the speakers argue, can be a valid form of self-preservation.
“If you’re wanting to move because of the current administration, it is okay to do that,” one contributor, Aisha, said. “You have to choose yourself, choose your health, choose your peace.”
The post raises broader questions about migration, identity, and how political climates influence personal decisions—particularly among historically marginalized communities navigating an increasingly globalized world.
