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The Trump administration's swift moves to dismantle the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) have left thousands of employees uncertain about their futures, with many in dangerous locations fearing for their safety.
As the administration moves to shut down operations, workers posted worldwide are scrambling for answers about their job status and how they will return to the U.S.
USAID officials worldwide expressed shock and frustration, with many bracing for significant layoffs and forced departures. On Friday night, large portions of the workforce are expected to be placed on administrative leave.
Hundreds of employees stationed abroad have seen their assignments abruptly cut short, leaving them waiting for further instructions from Washington. Many fear that bringing personnel back to the U.S. will be a logistical nightmare, costing taxpayers tens of millions of dollars.
A USAID diplomat stationed overseas described the situation as deeply distressing. “We are all emotionally distraught,” the official said. “It feels like psychological warfare is being waged against us.” Another USAID employee in a high-risk region said the sudden policy shift felt surreal.
“I’m a U.S. diplomat on an official passport, yet I’ve been cut off from embassy security systems meant to keep diplomats and their families safe,” the official said.
Over the past several days, thousands of USAID employees, including many serving as diplomats abroad, have been placed on leave and denied access to critical agency networks. On Tuesday evening, direct hires of the U.S. government received official leave notices.
That same night, USAID notified employees that, with few exceptions, all direct hire personnel would be placed on administrative leave worldwide beginning Friday at 11:59 p.m.
The notice indicated that USAID was working on a plan to arrange and finance return travel for overseas personnel within 30 days. It also outlined plans to terminate contracts for employees deemed “non-essential.”
However, USAID workers—both contractors and direct hires—report that they have received no direct communication regarding whether they will be retained or how they will be transported back to the U.S.
The American Foreign Service Association (AFSA), which represents foreign service officers, confirmed that it has received no official details from the administration about how the dismantling of USAID will be implemented.
Randy Chester, USAID vice president at AFSA, said the union is considering legal action to challenge the move and is consulting with other organizations and legal firms.
USAID employees say they have heard little from the agency’s new leadership, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Pete Marocco, since President Donald Trump and Elon Musk initiated the agency’s dismantling less than two weeks ago.
Bringing thousands of U.S. personnel home will require a massive financial commitment. According to Chester, there are approximately 1,400 USAID direct hire employees overseas, along with their families.
He estimates that repatriating them will cost at least $20 million, contradicting the Trump administration’s claims that the shutdown is meant to save taxpayer money. “The cost to the American taxpayer is tremendous, and it’s completely unnecessary,” Chester said.
Compounding concerns, USAID employees who have lost access to their email and agency systems can no longer receive security alerts. Under normal procedures, these alerts warn diplomats of security threats, demonstrations, or evacuation orders.
Without access, officials stationed in dangerous locations are left vulnerable. A USAID employee in the Middle East explained that embassy protocols typically trigger accountability checks and emergency procedures during incidents. “Now, anyone without a work phone or email won’t hear anything,” the official said.
Another contractor in a high-risk area echoed concerns about safety. “I don’t even know if the embassy is still responsible for my evacuation,” the contractor said.
Some employees have reported that their emergency panic buttons, which are linked to their USAID emails, may no longer function.
Workers have also expressed frustration with Trump and Musk’s inflammatory rhetoric about USAID. One USAID official described the administration’s recent statements as “shameful and vile,” warning that they have placed public servants in real danger.
For many USAID employees abroad, their entire lives have been thrown into turmoil. Officials stationed overseas often serve on multi-year assignments, enrolling their children in local schools and securing employment for their spouses.
Now, many must abruptly leave without a clear plan.
USAID officials say that shutting down operations is a complicated process that requires more time. “You can’t just turn off the tap,” one official said. “We have financial obligations and need to conduct an orderly closeout.”
Employees placed on leave Friday night are unsure what happens next. Some worry they could be forced to vacate their housing, as USAID housing is typically government-sponsored.
Contractors face similar uncertainty. One USAID official stationed abroad said that, under their contract, they must pay for hotel stays and expenses upfront before seeking reimbursement.
Given the uncertainty surrounding contract status, they now fear they may not be reimbursed. “I’m considering checking out of my hotel and crashing on a colleague’s couch just in case,” the official said.
The logistical challenges of bringing thousands of employees home remain unresolved. According to Chester, embassies and USAID missions typically receive a set budget for operational expenses.
However, since the shutdown was unplanned, no clear funding source has been identified. “It’s hard to book flights and coordinate travel when we don’t even know where the money is coming from,” he said.
As the deadline approaches, USAID employees around the world remain in limbo, waiting for answers. With the administration pushing forward, thousands of public servants are left fearing for their jobs, safety, and futures.
