Jerry Boyle, a Chicago-based lawyer, told the Sunday Tribune that according to a number of consultations over the years "there has been more interest in dual Irish/American citizenship since 9/11". While he says Americans are not willing to renounce their US citizenship to become Irish, he said dual citizenship was "definitely something many Americans are interested in. Many are applying for it, or have it already."

Boyle, whose grandfather hailed from Kerry, does not consider an Irish passport an "exit strategy", but admits that there are safety concerns for US citizens. "It is an unfortunate fact of life that the US government has made many enemies throughout the world. In contrast, the Irish government, and Irish people generally, are warmly regarded throughout the world. Overseas, you are more likely to be welcomed, and less likely to be attacked, if you identify as Irish, as opposed to American, " said Boyle.

Frequent flyer and retired Ford Motor engineer, Blair McGowan, agrees with Boyle. The Detroit resident told the Sunday Tribune that the "Irish passport question came up quite frequently in conversations when talking about travel out of the US.

Generally, quite a few travellers felt that it would be better travelling on an Irish passport than on a US passport."

Aside from international travel, Boyle said that Americans believe the Irish passport provides them with "the ability to leave this country, and have a safe place to live, if things get really bad here". Americans, he said, are concerned with the direction their country is taking, especially since the re-election of George Bush. "They fear for their future and the future of their children. They see this country becoming more militaristic, more security conscious, and less free."