I really want to know what world you're living in. I have lived as frugally as possible my entire life and there is no way I could have ever saved up 20K in less than 2 years. are you assuming the people that want to leave are like doctors or something? Because I can promise you the average retail worker probably only makes about 20K a year at best. Factoring in the skyrocketing cost of rent, inflation, and everything else? Where is this money coming from?

again, that's illegal. so let's pretend that's not an option. and try to work out options for people who are poor that are not illegal.

With what money? I don't really think you understand how financially desperate people are. I've lived in such poverty that I had to forgo a $100 doctor's visit to get stitches, I still have the scar. When you don't have money, you're trapped here whether you want to leave or not. No amount of sacrifices will get you several grand when you're that poor.

That's called illegal immigration. Are you advocating that people do this?

71.93% of Americans live paycheck to paycheck, there is no possibility of saving. We are also the third lowest in the world for home ownership. (as in, fully owned. and not currently paying the mortgage. until the house is paid off it's not really yours) On top of that, the actual move usually costs quite a bit. I've been looking into it for years, and trying to save for years. And yet I am still here, and will probably be working until the day I die.