Did Obama trigger expatriate flow?

Thomas V. DiBacco’s Tuesday commentary, “Exit strategy — more Americans leave U.S. behind,” states more Americans are emigrating and renouncing citizenship than ever before. DiBacco thinks the cause is discontent due to increased political partisanship resulting in a decline in the quality of American life.

He cites percentage increases in emigration between 2014-2016, but the total for the period is only about 13,000. While he may have a case for a 2016 increase, given alienation caused by the presidential campaign and the election, how does he explain the increases in 2014 and 2015? In a nation of 323 million people, it’s hardly an emigration tidal wave.

DiBacco then says more of these people leaving are deciding to be temporary residents abroad rather than true expatriates, since foreigners are appalled by U.S. policy and lack of American leadership, resulting in a less-friendly environment for expats.

But the argument can be made American leadership began its decline under the past administration. The leadfrom-behind strategy applied abroad resulted in the rise of ISIS; the ever-moving red line in Syria allowed other nations to move in; and Russia’s taking over Crimea are just a few examples leaving many in the rest of the world wondering about American leadership, values and commitment to stability — long before the current administration’s America First policy.

People leaving the U.S. and keeping their citizenship might have another reason. Considering Brexit, the European Union, terrorism and instability in other regions, they may just want to be able to come back home.

Frank Ford Mount Dora