Results of an Expat Lab survey by Expat Communication for the Smart Job program
US election: COVID + Trump, the French do not recommend the American adventure at this time
According to a survey conducted by Expat Communication’s Expat Lab for the Smart Job program on BSmart TV, in association with French Morning, 90% of French people living in the US recommend daring to move to the US. But for more than half of them, it is not the right time to try the adventure.
What are the elements that explain this judgment ? According to those who answered that the time is not right for them (50% of the panel), a change in the President would lead them to change their recommendation. The political stakes are therefore major in their discomfort. But they are not the only ones involved. As one expatriate summed it up
“Trump + Covid = no.”
01
A Stifling Health Environment
This is the first reason put forward by this survey. Expatriates recommend waiting for the end of the pandemic and the reopening of the freedom of movement between countries, especially the European area.
- “Until a solution is found for covid 19, I would advise French people to stay close to their families”.
- “visa holders since March 2020 can no longer leave the U.S. territory or they will not be able to return. There are families who have not received their loved ones for a very long time with no prospects for the time being.”
02
A deteriorating economic and social situation
- “The economy is at its worst. It’s going to take time to change no matter who governs.”
- “Too many risks with immigration, too long to get a Green Card and therefore a minimum of security (losing your job on a visa means out in 30 days and no more medical coverage). Closed borders = no way to go back and forth between France and US.”
- “Social relationships are limited and schools often at a distance, which makes it harder to integrate.”
03
In these conditions, the electoral context comes second
- “The decision to expatriate does not depend on a president elected for 4 years”
- “The states in the US are independent and the governors have enough power to implement their reforms.”
04
Even if the French in the US are crossed by the same radical fault lines as other Americans
French and American values diverge on many points. However, our survey contains positions that reflect the two opposing positions in this election.
- “Unless the Frenchman in question is a racist, homophobe, anti-science, conspiracy theorist, misogynist and millionaire, for now it’s best to abstain.” [de venir aux US]
- “I sincerely think that our country France is terribly lacking today of a man who claims true values of the Republic, who gives us the freedom to come and go, to open our shops, our schools, our restaurants, to live without a mask that contaminates us with bacteria, without this pressing pressure of an unfounded vaccine that serves to control us, to manipulate us or only the powerful will govern.”
05
Some are concerned about the deteriorating political climate
“I have lived in the USA for almost 20 years (3 different states) and the welcome and openness towards foreigners (even French) has deteriorated a lot “
06
However, overall, the enthusiasm and appeal of the US remains
- “This is a country is big enough for everyone.”
- “The professional opportunities are always there, it remains a country where the entrepreneurial spirit is valued, in short one can live very well there despite the societal and political turmoil.”
07
In the end, even if the American dream remains attractive, the French remind us of the basic rules of caution :
- “I recommend moving to the U.S. if 1. Your plan includes at least one job that supports your family 2. You are in good health because health care costs are exorbitant.”
- “I would tell candidates to expatriate that the steps are long/costly and that the “American dream” is not for everyone anymore (if it ever was). Think carefully about why you’re expatriating… “
08
And to conclude, some remind us that it is complicated today to find a serene country
The year 2020 is a “special” year: Covid impacts everyone and the security issue affects both the US with the Black Lives Matter movement (among others) and Europe affected by terrorism.
“France, its Gilets Jaunes and other terrorist threats is no picnic either…”
About this survey: Conducted online from October 22 to November 4, 2020. 164 responses.
The average number of years of residence in the U.S. of the French respondents is a little over 10 years.
If we compare those who have resided for more than 10 years to those who have resided for less than 10 years: the results follow the same trend.
The majority of respondents are women (86%). The average age is 45 years. The population is therefore in an active age bracket for at least one of the two expatriate spouses living in the US.
The geographic distribution of the survey follows the trend of French expatriation. California and New York are the two most represented states (24% and 17%) out of the 28 states that comprise the response base. This is followed by the states of New Jersey (8%), Texas (7%), Massachusetts (6%) and Florida (5%). The remaining 30% is divided among the other 21 states.
Watch Arnaud Ardoin’s Smart Job program on Smart TV here, in this special edition “Elections in the US” with Yoann Brugière (co-founder and partner, Orbiss), Stéphane Actis (General Manager, GR International Group), Alix Carnot, (associate director of Expat Communication) who presented the results of this survey.
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