The Consequences of U.S. Foreign Aid Cuts: What It Means for Immigrants

Based on “Hundreds of Thousands Will Die” by The New Yorker

Foreign aid is money and help that the U.S. government gives to other countries to support health, education, food, and disaster relief programs. It has been an important part of how the U.S. helps people around the world, while also protecting its own interests. But now, the U.S. government has cut foreign aid, and experts warn that this could cause a huge humanitarian crisis—meaning many people may suffer or even die.

One expert, Atul Gawande, a well-known doctor and former official at the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), says these cuts could result in over 2.1 million deaths per year.

For immigrants in San Diego and other U.S. cities, this is not just a global issue—it affects their families, their home countries, and even their lives in the U.S..

Why Foreign Aid Matters

More Than Just Charity: What USAID Does

USAID (United States Agency for International Development) is a government program that helps struggling countries by:

✔ Providing vaccines and medicine to stop the spread of deadly diseases.
✔ Helping after natural disasters like earthquakes, hurricanes, and droughts.
✔ Supporting farming and small businesses so families can afford food and education.

This aid is not just about helping others—it also benefits America. By keeping other countries stable and healthy, foreign aid prevents bigger problems like wars, pandemics, and mass migration, which could create challenges for the U.S.

How Does This Affect Immigrants in San Diego?

Families in Home Countries Will Struggle

Many immigrants in the U.S. send money home to help their families. But if foreign aid is reduced, more people in home countries will need help, making it harder for immigrants to support them.

For example:
✔ If a country loses medical aid, families may struggle to afford treatment for serious illnesses.
✔ If disaster relief is cut, recovering from earthquakes, floods, or droughts will take much longer.
✔ If farming programs are stopped, food prices will rise, making it harder for families to eat.

Why Foreign Aid Matters

More Than Just Charity: What USAID Does

USAID (United States Agency for International Development) is a government program that helps struggling countries by:

✔ Providing vaccines and medicine to stop the spread of deadly diseases.
✔ Helping after natural disasters like earthquakes, hurricanes, and droughts.
✔ Supporting farming and small businesses so families can afford food and education.

This aid is not just about helping others—it also benefits America. By keeping other countries stable and healthy, foreign aid prevents bigger problems like wars, pandemics, and mass migration, which could create challenges for the U.S.

One major risk of cutting aid is increased disease outbreaks, which could lead to global pandemics. When aid is reduced, countries lose access to critical medical resources, making it harder to contain infectious diseases before they spread. The cost of responding to a pandemic after it starts is much higher than preventing it in the first place.

For example, when the Ebola virus broke out in West Africa in 2014, the U.S. had to spend $5.4 billion on emergency response efforts—even though there were only a few cases, less than a dozen, in the country. The economic impact of that outbreak was even greater, as fear and disruptions caused financial losses worldwide. If another major disease spreads due to lack of U.S. aid, the cost could be far worse—both in terms of money and human lives.

By investing in foreign aid, the U.S. helps stop health crises before they start, protecting both people abroad and Americans at home. The United States allocates a modest portion of its budget to foreign aid, with expenditures amounting to approximately $71.9 billion in fiscal year 2023, representing about 1.2% of total federal spending. This investment is minimal compared to the potential economic devastation of a pandemic. For instance, the COVID-19 pandemic is projected to cost the U.S. economy around $14 trillion by the end of 2023. Investments in foreign aid, particularly in global health initiatives, can serve as preventive measures, potentially averting such catastrophic economic impacts in the future.

Can These Cuts Be Reversed?

Some aid programs have already been stopped, but others are still being debated in Congress and the courts.

✔ Some politicians are fighting to restore foreign aid.
✔ Human rights groups are challenging the cuts in court.
✔ Some emergency funds have been released to keep life-saving programs going.

However, millions of people are still at risk, and the outcome remains uncertain.

What Can Immigrants in San Diego Do?

If you care about these issues, here’s how you can stay involved:

✔ Stay informed – Follow news about foreign aid and its effects on global health and migration.
✔ Support organizations – Groups like Doctors Without Borders and Save the Children help in countries affected by aid cuts.
✔ Speak up – Contact elected officials and tell them why foreign aid matters to immigrants and their families.

Final Thoughts

The cuts to U.S. foreign aid are not just about money—they are about people’s lives. The impact will be felt worldwide—in home countries where medical aid disappears, in U.S. cities where immigrants struggle to support family members, and at the border as more people seek safety.

For immigrants in San Diego, and throughout the world, these cuts mean worrying about loved ones back home and possibly facing new immigration challenges in the future.

At Amba Law, we believe that America is strongest when it helps both its own people and those in need around the world. As policies change, immigrants must stay informed and understand how global decisions affect their lives in the U.S..