Prospecting U.S. Expatriation

Greetings fellow Expatriates.
I have recently been tasked to research U.S. Expatriatism.
My goal is to research which countries would be best to expatriate to.
I have a growing number of acquaintances, some of which are felons but mostly their families seeking to escape the jeopardy of the increasing development of the politically charged laws and legislation.  Some of them are currently on parole or probation and not able to leave until discharged.
Over the past decade, many of the States in the U.S. have undergone a radical crackdown on crime.  Consequently, it has had an adverse effect.  Because of the modern day of information technology, it has become next to impossible for a U.S. Citizen with a felony record to survive.
As a result, many of them are tossing around the idea of moving to a different country.
I am hoping to find others which have successfully Expatriated or that has experience in Expatriation.
None of them have any interest in doing anything illegal or is a fugitive, all of them however, do have the desire to live free from tyranny, oppression and persecution.
Thank you.