Increase in U.S. Citizens Seeking Asylum in Australia Due to Political Instability

Since the start of Donald Trump’s second term in January 2025, at least 29 U.S. citizens have applied for asylum in Australia, a significant increase compared to fewer than five applications per month in the latter half of 2024. This indicates that some Americans feel uneasy about the domestic political and social environment.

Most applicants have submitted an onshore protection visa (Subclass 866), which allows individuals who arrive in Australia on a valid visa to apply for asylum. According to the Department of Home Affairs, no applications have been approved yet. Asylum applications typically take months or even years to process, including identity verification, personal statements, and security checks.

The Asylum Seeker Resource Centre (ASRC) noted a recent surge in requests from U.S. citizens seeking asylum advice. While official data does not disclose the reasons, experts suggest that political polarization, social division, and threats to certain groups’ rights—particularly LGBTQ+ individuals—may be driving the increase.

At the same time, countries such as Canada and Ireland have observed similar trends. Experts remind that asylum is granted based on “current risk of persecution,” so even if some applicants filed before Trump’s second term, their cases are assessed according to present circumstances.