USAID Foreign Staff Layoffs to Begin by Mid-August, Agency Confirms
The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has officially notified its foreign workforce that they will be let go by mid-August, marking a significant restructuring of the country’s overseas humanitarian efforts. The decision, confirmed in an internal email obtained by CNN, reflects the Trump administration’s broader goal of dissolving USAID as an independent agency.
Foreign Nationals Make Up the Backbone of USAID’s Global Teams
The USAID foreign staff layoffs will primarily impact Foreign Service Nationals — non-U.S. citizens who serve critical roles at embassies and consulates worldwide. These employees, many of whom have dedicated decades of service, act as cultural liaisons, translators, and long-term anchors in communities where U.S. diplomats rotate every few years.
“They carry institutional knowledge, speak the language, and build trust with local communities,” one official said. “Losing them is losing the heart of our mission.”
Legal, Ethical, and Safety Concerns Grow
USAID foreign staff layoffs
Some internal sources have raised alarms over whether these abrupt terminations might breach local labor laws, potentially exposing the U.S. government to legal action. In high-risk regions, there’s also fear that losing employment with USAID could put former staff in danger due to their affiliation with American operations.
One agency veteran lamented, “It’s not just the loss of a job—it’s the loss of protection. These people stayed through dangerous assignments. Now we’re walking away from them.”
Many of the workers reportedly won’t qualify for a Special Immigrant Visa (SIV), which offers relocation to the U.S. for individuals who’ve served the U.S. under threat.
Trump Administration Pushes to Fold USAID into State Department
The layoffs come amid a broader move to shift USAID’s responsibilities under the U.S. State Department, effectively dissolving its independent role. Critics argue that this decision undermines decades of carefully built humanitarian programs and damages America’s soft power footprint abroad.
