Aussie expats choose to stay in the US following Donald Trump’s victory while others vow to leave

While others have vowed to leave the US following Donald Trump’s victory, Aussie expats have explained why they are choosing to stay put.

Australian expats in the US are bracing for a volatile time under Donald Trump’s second presidency — but won’t pack up and return home because of the election result.

Aussies working in the US, in immigration law and recruitment, said Mr Trump’s tendency for announcing key policy changes via social media could lead to short-lived panic.

But the group is confident many key visas for Australians won’t be changed.

Founder of Aussie Recruit, Amy Meyer, who has supported thousands of Australians with their US job search during the past five years while touting the E3 visa, said Mr Trump’s sudden announcement for a temporary ban on immigration in 2020 sent Australians in the US scrambling for information.

“We have 800 people sign up to one of our monthly events to hear about what the effects were of what was being said from the (US) government, and it was chaotic,” she said.

US expat Amy Meyer helps thousands of Australians with their US job search. Picture: Supplied

Ms Meyer, from Sydney, who has lived in the US for 11 years, said American employers had little knowledge of the E3 visa but were interested when they found out about its conditions.

“The goal here is we need to get our visa quota utilised. We’ve got 10,500 each year.”

“From an American business standpoint the E3 is a really creative way to address recruitment challenges like worker shortages, hard to fill positions and increasing diversity in their workforce.”

Daniel Weil, 33, who works in business consulting in New York and originally from Melbourne, said a Trump presidency wouldn’t force him to return to Australia.

He said Mr Trump was better positioned to bring down the cost of living, curtail illegal immigration in the US and resolve the Israeli-Palestinian war.

“If Trump was to do everything that he said he’s going to do …and if Australia doesn’t lift it’s game in certain areas, then America could be a better place longer term but there’s so many things up in the air,” Mr Weil said.

“I’d obviously hope that there will be some assurance, either from the Australian Government or the US government, that it’s not something that would be affected or changed.”

Daniel Weil is not encouraged to leave the US following Trump’s win. Picture: Supplied

Donald Trump’s win was called by Fox News on Wednesday night. Picture: AP

Co-founder of Fable Foods, Michael Fox, who is in the US expanding his mushroom products business and on the E3 visa, said the Trump presidency could deliver a volatile time for industry. But that wouldn’t push him to return to Australia.

The Sunshine Coast native who lived in the US during Trump’s previous presidency said mooted tariffs could mean his import business moved to growing mushrooms in the US quicker.

“Politics in America is pretty crazy, gun laws are crazy but there are so many great things about America. The good still outweighs the bad. For our business it makes sense to be in the US,” he said.

Michael Fox says the Trump presidency could deliver a volatile time for industry. Picture: Supplied

The views of Australians living abroad in the US of Mr Trump and his plans for America are a stark contrast to some Americans, who said they were moving after the election result was declared.

“So sick of this country. I’m moving to Australia,” one wrote.

Another said: “Boarding now boat to Australia to leave America forever ‘who’s boarding?’”.

Originally published as Aussie expats choose to stay in the US following Donald Trump’s victory while others vow to leave