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US Records First Net Population Loss in 50 Years; Renunciation Fee Cut

5/18/2026

Summary

Story summary

The United States recorded a net outflow of 10,000-295,000 people in 2025, its first negative migration in 50 years.
Brookings estimated that 210,000-405,000 Americans left voluntarily in 2025, citing tighter immigration enforcement.
Surveys showed 49% of potential leavers blamed high living costs and 68% expressed dissatisfaction with volatile politics.
The State Department reduced the citizenship-renunciation fee to $450 on April 13, 2026, after renunciations rose to about 5,000 in 2025.

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Story summary

The United States recorded a net outflow of 10,000-295,000 people in 2025, its first negative migration in 50 years.
Brookings estimated that 210,000-405,000 Americans left voluntarily in 2025, citing tighter immigration enforcement.
Surveys showed 49% of potential leavers blamed high living costs and 68% expressed dissatisfaction with volatile politics.
The State Department reduced the citizenship-renunciation fee to $450 on April 13, 2026, after renunciations rose to about 5,000 in 2025.