One of the stars of RuPaul’s Drag Race has left the United States amid President Trump’s escalating immigration crackdown.
Xunami Muse, who placed ninth on season 16 of the hit competition series, revealed on Instagram that she’s returned to her native Panama, writing that her ‘situation in the United States was a difficult and complicated one.’
‘From now on, I will be living in my beautiful land of Panama,’ she told followers. ‘You heard that right, I left the States! And the reason is simple: To be able to explore the WORLD!’
While filming Drag Race, Xunami opened up about living in the U.S. under Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) — a program enacted in 2012 to protect those who came to the country as children from deportation.
‘We’re not citizens,’ she explained on the show. ‘We’re kind of in limbo. We’re legally here because we were already here, but we don’t have the full rights of a citizen.’
After Xunami’s announcement went viral, one viewer reacted online, writing, ‘DACA queens are self-deporting now. I hate how this country treats immigrants. She deserved better.’
One of the stars of RuPaul ’s Drag Race has left the United States amid President Trump’s escalating immigration crackdown; (pictured 2024)
Xunami Muse, who placed ninth on season 16 of the hit competition series , revealed on Instagram that she’s returned to her native Panama, writing that her ‘situation in the United States was a difficult and complicated one’
Xunami herself responded to several fans in Spanish, admitting she’s unsure if she’ll ever be able to return.
When one fan asked, ‘If you leave the United States, can you not return?’ she replied, ‘I really don’t know.’
Although Xunami never mentioned the Trump administration’s immigration clampdown by name, she did reveal she’s gearing up to hit the road with fellow Drag Race alums for a European tour next month.
She’s also booked to continue performing in Australia later this year, marking her first major international run since leaving the U.S.
For DACA recipients like Xunami, traveling outside the country requires obtaining special permission known as Advance Parole — a process now clouded by mounting policy changes and growing uncertainty.
Her announcement comes as the administration moves to tighten restrictions on the 525,000 so-called ‘Dreamers.’
In recent months, federal agencies have sought to revoke health care and financial aid eligibility for DACA holders, while immigration officers have detained some recipients despite their protected status.
‘Illegal aliens who claim to be recipients of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) are not automatically protected from deportations,’ said DHS assistant press secretary Tricia McLaughlin in a statement, adding that the program ‘does not confer any form of legal status in this country.’
‘From now on, I will be living in my beautiful land of Panama,’ she told followers. ‘You heard that right, I left the States! And the reason is simple: To be able to explore the WORLD’
In recent months, federal agencies have sought to revoke health care and financial aid eligibility for DACA holders, while immigration officers have detained some recipients despite their protected status
‘Illegal aliens who claim to be recipients of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) are not automatically protected from deportations,’ said DHS assistant press secretary Tricia McLaughlin in a statement; (Police confront demonstrators during.a protest outside of the immigration processing and detention facility on October 11, 2025 in Broadview, Illinois)
McLaughlin further urged recipients to ‘self-deport’ and ‘return to the U.S. the right legal way.’
During her emotional Drag Race moments, Xunami credited the Obama-era policy for allowing her to live and work legally in the U.S.
‘DACA is why I’m able to legally work and also be on Drag Race,’ she said. ‘We literally would not be able to be here if it wasn’t for that. So, thank you, Obama!’
Her decision to leave highlights the growing uncertainty faced by thousands of DACA recipients — many of whom now fear deportation.
Xunami’s move comes on the heels of Julianne Moore revealing in June that she plans to permanently relocate to the UK with her husband, Bart Freundlich.
She’s far from alone — a growing number of Hollywood stars have been packing up and heading overseas, with some openly blaming Donald Trump’s political climate as their reason for leaving.
Back in March, Courtney Love became the latest to announce she’s pursuing British citizenship, saying Trump’s looming return to the White House was ‘frightening.’
The rocker, who was married to Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain until his death in 1994, said she’s ready to make London her full-time home after years of frustration with the U.S. government.
Taylor Swift posed with Xunami and the cast of Drag Race at the 2024 MTV Music Awards
Although Xunami never mentioned the Trump administration’s immigration clampdown by name, she did reveal she’s gearing up to hit the road with fellow Drag Race alums for a European tour next month
Celebrities who were devastated by Donald Trump’s election victory have pledged to flee America
Speaking at the Royal Geographical Society, she told the audience, ‘I’m really glad I’m here. It’s so great to live here. I’m finally getting my British citizenship in six months. I get to be a citizen — I’m applying, man! Can’t get rid of me!’
Love also took a jab at Trump’s inner circle, saying, ‘In terms of Trump, and particularly this group… it’s like emperor-core — like, [they’re] wearing million-dollar watches. Emperor-core is going on at Mar-a-Lago. It’s frightening now. It’s like cyanide now.’
The 60-year-old musician, who shares daughter Frances Bean Cobain with Kurt, has lived in London since 2019.
Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi have also reportedly started a new chapter abroad, putting their California estate on the market following the election and retreating to the UK to ‘retire,’ with insiders claiming ‘the U.S. doesn’t like her because of her sexual preferences.’
Meanwhile, Eva Mendes and Ryan Gosling have opted to stay overseas after spending much of the past year in the UK, while actress Minnie Driver has returned to London after nearly 30 years in Los Angeles.
Even Ugly Betty alum America Ferrera has reportedly been spotted touring schools in West London, after previously expressing her desire to leave the U.S. when Trump was elected.