How to Leave the U.S. in an Emergency: Get Ready Now
Confluence Daily is your daily news source for women in the know.
By: Lisa M. Hayes
Most people assume they’ll see it coming. That if things ever get bad enough, they’ll have plenty of warning. That they’ll make careful, rational decisions and have time to prepare. But that’s not how these things happen.
When the moment comes, it comes fast. Borders close. Banks freeze assets. Flights fill up. People who thought they had time suddenly don’t.
I had a conversation today that made me realize how many people aren’t ready. Not even a little bit. Not just strangers—people I care about. People who, if they had to leave the country tomorrow, wouldn’t even know where to start.
So we’re talking about it now. Because if you don’t have a plan, it’s time to make one.
This might sound alarmist. Maybe even a little extreme. But let’s be real: things are moving faster than even the most paranoid conspiracy theorists predicted. The news cycle can’t keep up, governments are making unpredictable moves, and we’re already seeing economic, political, and environmental instability escalate.
It is no longer irrational to prepare. In fact, preparation is the thing that will keep you calm. Knowing you have a plan, knowing you can move if you need to, knowing you’re not trapped—that is how you keep anxiety in check. You don’t have to live in fear, but you do have to be ready.
Step One: Secure Your Communications
If you are still using WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, or SMS texting for private conversations, stop. These platforms are monitored. They are data-mined. And when governments start getting nervous, surveillance ramps up fast.
From this point forward, use Signal as your primary mode of communication.
Signal is an end-to-end encrypted messaging app that protects your conversations from prying eyes. It’s free. It’s easy to use. And it is one of the simplest, most effective steps you can take to protect yourself and the people you love.
- Download Signal on your phone and desktop.
- Encourage your closest people to download it too. If they don’t get why, explain it to them.
- Start having important conversations there—now, not later.
Once you have Signal, go into settings and enable disappearing messages for extra security. This ensures your conversations don’t sit on someone’s phone forever.
Step Two: Get Your Documents in Order
You Do NOT Always Need a Passport to Leave
If you plan to travel legally on a visa or relocate permanently, you need a passport. But if you’re leaving under emergency conditions—especially if you’re seeking asylum—you do not need one in most cases. Many countries have legal pathways for asylum seekers without requiring passports or visas.
That said, if you have the ability to get a passport, get one anyway. Having one gives you options, which is the whole point of this plan.
Emergency Documents Checklist
Make physical copies (stored somewhere safe) and digital copies (scanned and encrypted on a secure cloud service and a USB drive) of:
✅ Passport (or proof of application)
✅ Birth certificate
✅ Social Security card
✅ Driver’s license or state ID
✅ Marriage or divorce papers
✅ Property deeds or rental agreements
✅ Car title & insurance papers
✅ Medical records & vaccination history
✅ Any necessary visas or residency permits
✅ List of emergency contacts (written & digital)
✅ Proof of income or employment
✅ A physical list of passwords for critical accounts (stored securely)
These documents prove who you are and what you own. In a crisis, having them on hand can mean the difference between mobility and getting stuck.
Step Three: Secure Your Transportation
If flights are grounded or sold out—or if the situation on the ground escalates fast—you need to be able to drive yourself out.
- Make sure your car is in good working order. This means up-to-date maintenance, tires in good condition, and a full tank of gas as often as possible.
- Keep emergency supplies in your vehicle. This includes extra water, non-perishable food, a spare tire, jumper cables, a first-aid kit, a flashlight, and a phone charger.
- Have physical maps of the regions you might need to travel through. Don’t rely on GPS—cell towers go down, and digital maps can be unreliable.
- Familiarize yourself with backroads and lesser-known border crossings. The major highways and border checkpoints are where the biggest bottlenecks and problems will happen. Learn alternate routes.
🚨 DO THIS NOW: Go buy a paper road atlas for the U.S. and any surrounding countries you might need to enter. Learn to read it. Technology fails—maps don’t.
Step Four: Secure Your Finances
Money is often the biggest obstacle to mobility. If you need to leave suddenly, will you be able to access your funds? Will your bank even work where you’re going? Will you have enough liquidity to survive in a new country? Start preparing now.
- Keep cash on hand. ATMs may not be an option. Have a stash of small bills ($20s and smaller) in a secure but accessible location.
- Have a mix of payment methods. A debit card, a credit card, and some kind of digital payment option (PayPal, Wise, etc.).
- Open an account with an international bank. If your current bank only operates domestically, this is a problem. Consider a bank that operates in multiple countries.
- Diversify where your money is stored. If all your money is in one account, you are vulnerable to freezes and restrictions.
- Consider cryptocurrency. If you’re comfortable with crypto, having a small emergency fund in Bitcoin or stablecoins can be a backup way to move money across borders.
If you are financially vulnerable (e.g., all your money is tied up in accounts that could be frozen), now is the time to diversify and make sure you can access your funds from anywhere.
Step Five: Have an Exit Strategy (That Everyone Agrees On)
You need a designated meeting place if people get separated. Not just a city or a general area—a specific location.
- Pick a hotel, landmark, or public place where you will meet if an emergency exit is needed.
- Make sure every family member knows the location. If you have kids, write it down and put it in their bag.
- Have a backup plan in case your primary location is inaccessible.
If you need to leave immediately, do not waste time debating where to go. Have a pre-agreed destination and get there.
Step Six: Pack a Go-Bag
If you had to leave in a matter of hours, what would you take? Your go-bag should be ready at all times.
✅ Passport & essential documents (physical + digital copies)
✅ Cash (small denominations) & multiple payment methods
✅ A week’s supply of medications (prescriptions & over-the-counter essentials)
✅ First-aid kit (bandages, antiseptic, basic meds)
✅ Power bank & charging cables
✅ Flashlight & batteries
✅ Water filter or purification tablets
✅ Minimal but versatile clothing (weather-appropriate layers)
✅ Hygiene essentials (toothbrush, soap, etc.)
✅ Backup USB drive with encrypted files
📌 Complete Emergency Exit Checklist
✅ Download and set up Signal
✅ Get your passport (or understand your asylum options if you don’t have one)
✅ Make physical & digital copies of essential documents
✅ Secure your finances: cash, international banking, alternative payment methods
✅ Decide on a specific meet-up location with family or friends
✅ Research visa-free countries & asylum options
✅ Join expat groups and establish contacts in potential destinations
✅ Make sure your car is in working order & stocked with emergency supplies
✅ Get physical paper maps & learn alternate routes
✅ Familiarize yourself with lesser-known border crossings
✅ Pack a go-bag with essential supplies
✅ Make a detailed exit plan (transportation, accommodations, legal options)
✅ Mentally commit to leaving if the situation calls for it
This isn’t about fear—it’s about freedom. The ability to move. The ability to make choices. The ability to leave before you’re trapped.
Border walls don’t just keep people out. They can also hold people in.
Get ready. Now.
