Ask HN: Would you move to the US now?

It depends. If I were a young person from a third world country, with no responsibilities / monetary responsibility that can be solved by a year or two of 30% of FAANG salary, then absolutely, I'd move. That amount of money early in life compounds, and can give me a lot of benefits when I'm older, even if it is for just a few years.

If I were a middle-aged/older person, or someone with social/familial responsibility, then very likely not. If I were someone already living in a first-world country with a good life, then absolutely not.

If I were a risk-taker and enjoy a good unpredictable scenario and can navigate myself well around it, the US likely needs me more than I need them. Regardless of president, the country seems to be a place which respects and rewards this trait more than most other countries.

Probably not. I'd be more afraid of what the country can do to you. In case you are not following the immigration news, here are some news:

# Phd student detained (Rumeysa Ozturk) https://bsky.app/profile/democracynow.org/post/3llecj2d4ec27

# Even citizens could be deported https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43627611

# Germans https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/13/world/europe/german-touri...

# Canadian detained - Jasmine Mooney https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/mar/19/canadian-det... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0niuiBzK5Vw

# French scientist denied US entry after phone messages critical of Trump found https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/mar/19/trump-musk-f...

# Is it safe to travel with phone https://archive.is/taZBx

# Indians https://www.financialexpress.com/world-news/elderly-indian-g...

Edit: It is important to mention that this is what has happened in the past 79 days. Things can get a LOT worse.

From the first of Newton's laws: "An object in motion will remain in motion with the same speed unless met with a force of resistance".

Given you have the privelage to work for a big tech company, I would assume they have the resources to shield you, and you some of your own. From afar it may seem crazier than it is. Do not let the loudest people tell you what to do. Of course consider the risks, prime among them being that if you did not feel particularly attached to the company, or they to you, then you would have to uproot and leave the country on the order of days, but I am assuming you are young, and this is the time for you to take risks.

What was your offer’s package? Which big tech company, and where in the US would they be ant you to move?

Even before the clown show I was hesitant to move there. People can walk around with guns in some states. People walk the streets with untreated diabetes. Half the population seem to be overt racist and uneducated to the point of illiteracy. America is unpredictable and dangerous. I need to live in a country with strong social programs so if someone I love becomes vulnerable I know they won't have to resort to living on the streets.

What's your current situation? If you live in a place that's significantly less safe then the US do to poverty and crime then yes. If your happy and safe where you currently are how much does the money matter?

Time to be blunt. No.

A few years ago, I would of said if your white ( and I guess of certain Asian ethnicities), it might be a good idea. But their locking up British nannies now.

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/apr/05/i-was-a-brit...

Ohh Lord, she might of did some house sitting without a permit. She might of even cooked a few meals for friends who let her crash for a few weeks.

Instead of just allowing her to go home, straight to indefinite detention.

Even aside from this America has always offered immigrants a Faustian Bargain. It's much more dangerous here than in almost any other developed country. Our food is near toxic, our public health system is in shambles.

Given the typical demographics of this website, this is probably not your immediate concern, but our understanding of women's health is somewhere in the 1940s. In large parts of this country people don't understand there's a thing called a miscarriage, and forcing someone to carry a nonviable pregnancy is probably not going to produce a miracle.

Not to mention the rapid disintegration of rights for LGBT people.

no way—and i'm a US citizen...

I am more interested in founding the United States. It appears that it hasn't happened yet.

'Ben Franklin' just sent the JWST kite up to discover the lightning rod with a copper key and we are still fighting slave owners.

Once it has been estabilished, and the Musket fights end, then I will be on it.

Don't worry about it, imagine I am a big conspiracy nut or a sci-fi fanfictioner or something.

If you are thinking about taking a boat and becoming a worker overseas, I think that's your choice to make. It is for sure an attractive proposition. Hey, maybe you'll end up in one of the good companies, one that will make you free.