AFSA’s Action on USAID Recall & Critical Deadline on Deferred Resignation

The forced recall of more than 1,400 USAID personnel and their families from their posts abroad is a deeply troubling precedent—one that penalizes public servants for carrying out U.S. policy. As such, we are taking decisive action against it. AFSA will take imminent legal and administrative action. At the same time, we are pressing agency leadership and Congress for transparency and accountability. 

Below, you’ll find our statement on the USAID recall, key information on the upcoming “deferred resignation” deadline, and resources to help you navigate these ongoing challenges. 

AFSA’s Statement on the USAID Recall: AFSA strongly objects to the administration’s decision to recall all USAID FSOs and their families from post. Read our press statement here, as well as our first USAID press statement here. We encourage you to share these releases widely with your networks.  

For those who received letters placing them on administrative leave and requesting your name and personal information, we recommend you send that to HR-helpdesk@usaid.org. 

Deferred Resignation: The deadline for responding to the “deferred resignation” offer is Thursday, February 6, at 11:59 pm. We are aware of at least one lawsuit filed against the deferred resignation offer. If you are considering a resignation, we recommend you wait as late as possible on Thursday to send in the paperwork, just in case the suit is successful in stopping or delaying the offer. 

• Suit filed in Massachusetts District Court against deferred resignation - On February 4, the non-profit Democracy Forward, on behalf of several Federal employee unions, filed a lawsuit in Massachusetts District Court seeking a motion to vacate the entire deferred resignation program and cancel the February 6 deadline.  

• Many have raised retirement-related questions. AFSA posted a PowerPoint to help answer the most frequently asked questions. 

• Members have inquired whether all Foreign Service personnel are eligible. This is a question that must be addressed by agency leadership. However, similar offers have been extended in recent days to other government agencies directly involved in national security. 

Contacting Congress about USAID: AFSA members have asked how they can be helpful when reaching out to Congress in their personal capacities. AFSA suggests any outreach to members of Congress end with a call to action: 

“The Constitution grants Congress the power and responsibility to oversee the actions of the executive branch. It is crucial for Congress to fulfill its vital role in ensuring accountability and transparency in our government. As my elected Representative/Senator, I urge you to assert your constitutional authority to conduct thorough oversight over recent actions at USAID. Demand accountability, promote transparency, and protect the checks and balances that are fundamental to the nation.” 

Past USAID ADS: Previous USAID websites, including ADS, are archived on the internet. Here is an example from January 6 of this year. 

Right to Grieve a Separation Notice: AFSA’s January 29 message outlined the legal protections afforded to Foreign Service employees under the Foreign Service Act, including the right to file a grievance. Employees facing separation from the Service must file a grievance with their agency before they go off the rolls. Thus, if informed of an immediate separation, employees must file a grievance that same day.  Please note that pre-emptively filing a grievance (filing while on administrative leave and before any notice of separation) will likely result in dismissal of your grievance.  AFSA created a one-page grievance template that employees facing separation can compete and submit via email, even from their home computer. The template and additional grievance guidance is here. 

Your Virtual ‘Go Bag’: AFSA has created a virtual "Go Bag" checklist, complete with key resources to help you stay prepared for the unexpected. This dynamic resource will be updated as circumstances evolve.  

AFSA’s New Online Resource Hub: To help address the most frequently asked questions—both those we have received from members and those we have raised on your behalf—we have created a web resource hub to consolidate key information in one place. Bear with us as we work to make this site better. 

AFSA and DACOR Open Doors to Employee Organizations: As all employee organizations at the Foreign Service agencies have been disbanded or directed to pause their activities on government premises, AFSA and DACOR are honored to step in and provide space for these groups to meet during off-work hours. We have communicated our invitation to all employee organizations and look forward to welcoming them into our spaces if and when circumstances require. 

In Case You Missed It: To see all AFSA’s member communications on the administration’s executive orders and memoranda, click here. 

Thank you for your dedication to the Foreign Service. AFSA stands with you.