Why foreign aid is in American interests and reflects our values

To say that a lot has happened in Washington, D.C., since January would be an epic understatement. I want to address the freeze on foreign assistance, the demise of USAID, and the suspension of refugee resettlement, all of which are having devastating effects.

I make the case for why foreign aid is in American interests and reflects our values, as does strong religious freedom promotion.

No one enjoys bureaucracy or paperwork. It’s been clear for some time that the United States needs to rethink how it provides foreign assistance and humanitarian aid. My book discusses the frustrations of the system and suggests ways to make the process more responsive to urgent needs. However, I never witnessed fraud. Frustrating inefficiencies existed, but the many hoops existed to prevent fraud. Indiscriminately closing everything through a stop-work order to root out supposed fraud does not result in a better outcome — quite the opposite.

The abrupt end of foreign assistance has put people in harm’s way who relied on U.S. assistance while crippling many civil society organizations, both large and small, the “boots on the ground” for this vital work. The sudden program freeze and failure to pay for completed work under existing contracts damages America’s reputation, injures our partners, jeopardizes investments and hurts the people who depend on American generosity.

President Donald Trump campaigned on migration, the trade deficit and countering China, among other things. Since coming into office, administration officials have emphasized U.S. assistance must provide tangible returns on investment for the American taxpayer. They stress that assistance should make America stronger, safer and more prosperous. I agree. U.S. assistance can (and does) promote domestic safety, security and well-being through strategic investments.

Migration and foreign aid

First on migration, assistance can tackle the push factors triggering migration that overwhelms our southern border. People do not walk thousands of miles through jungles and deserts while evading cartels unless conditions at home are truly desperate — such as religious or political persecution, malnutrition, economic depression or broken legal systems. USAID and U.S. assistance can mitigate these push factors, reducing overall migration numbers and stabilizing the border.

Improving broken legal systems abroad can also enhance America’s prosperity at home by creating stable business environments for U.S. companies. When corruption dominates a society, key institutions like banks, courts and police cannot function effectively. Corruption creates an uneven playing field for American businesses. However, foreign assistance investing in stability and good governance can build fair markets for American goods and services, benefiting the domestic economy in the long run.

China understands this and the Chinese Communist Party focuses intently on infrastructure diplomacy through the Belt and Road Initiative. We can 100% compete in development. However, the United States has a comparative advantage with our commitment to human rights and religious freedom. We believe in human dignity, while the Chinese Communist Party does not. I outlined a strategy to counter China’s influence through a rights agenda that builds goodwill.

“This doesn’t fit into a strict dollars-and-cents metric, but the outcome is worth its weight in gold.”

The national security argument is also compelling. Humanitarian aid helps prevent conflicts, reduce extremism and stabilize fragile regions. When people have access to basic needs like food, water and medical care, they are less likely to be recruited by extremist groups, ultimately reducing threats to U.S. national security. This doesn’t fit into a strict dollars-and-cents metric, but the outcome is worth its weight in gold.

Some supporters inside and outside the Trump administration recognize the importance of assistance and USAID’s role in delivering it. Although not an official document, the Project 2025 chapter on USAID clearly envisioned USAID playing an important role and mentions religious freedom a dozen times.

Religious freedom

More importantly, during the International Religious Freedom Summit, Vice President JD Vance emphasized that the new administration would continue the efforts of the first term on international religious freedom. He stated, “The first Trump administration took critical steps to protect the rights of the faithful, whether by rescuing pastors persecuted by foreign regimes or providing relief to Yazidis, Christians and other faith communities facing genocidal terror from ISIS.”

Helping Christians in Iraq occurred through USAID and foreign assistance, which I witnessed firsthand during my diplomatic visits to Iraq. Freezing funds for religious freedom promotion jeopardizes the first Trump administration’s signature policy accomplishments. I know of religious freedom programs made possible by this funding being shuttered in Cuba, Pakistan, Iraq and elsewhere.

Failing to restore USAID will drastically limit the U.S. government’s ability to extend its influence and address persecution. A compelling case for USAID was made during recent Congressional hearings. I also discussed the significance of U.S. assistance and diplomatic engagement before the Council on Foreign Relations in New York.

“Failing to restore USAID will drastically limit the U.S. government’s ability to extend its influence and address persecution.”

In the immediate, the U.S. government should compensate organizations for work performed under contracts before the freeze and for owed closeout costs. In addition, humanitarian organizations need the promised funds for “life-saving programs.” Although some waivers have been announced, every organization I’ve spoken with is still waiting for funds. This disruption needlessly puts lives at stake.

Moving forward, the administration should lift the freeze and restore nonhumanitarian programming while undertaking a review. Everyone understands a new administration wants to review past programming. But it can be done in a way that doesn’t drive partners out of business.

In addition, Congress should continue to appropriate funds that advance American interests and values. I fear support is fading for assistance programs on religious freedom, trafficking in persons, democracy promotion, human rights defenders, as well as protecting fundamental freedoms from Iran, North Korea, Russia and other malign actors.

Public servants

I am also deeply troubled by the abuse aimed at public servants, with many indiscriminately losing their jobs or at risk. Thousands of Americans have dedicated their careers to serving our country, but Elon Musk and others portray them as hostile agents or grifting bureaucrats. Studies show they work harder than their counterparts in the private sector. They deserve better.

The funding freeze has also resulted in thousands of NGO workers being put out of work, abruptly disrupting their lives without a clear purpose or plan.

Refugee resettlement

The debate about freezing aid has overshadowed the decision to suspend refugee resettlement. I wrote for Deseret News about how the resettlement program complements advocacy for religious freedom by providing a regulated and vetted process to rescue persecuted believers.

This also ties into Syria’s future. If the new powers revert to extremist authoritarian governance, thousands of religious minorities will flee. I addressed this threat for The Dispatch, questioning whether the world will protect persecuted minorities, and spoke on “The Skiff” podcast about these themes.

Ukraine and beyond

The United States should raise concerns with friends and foes alike. After the explosive meeting between President Zelensky and President Trump, I wrote about a somber meeting with Ukrainian pastors. They urged the United States to help end religious persecution in Russian-occupied areas and to press for the return of kidnapped children.

In South Asia, policymakers from both parties have overlooked issues facing Christians and Muslims in India, which was evident during Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Washington. I’ve written about the deteriorating climate for religious freedom in India, such as this excerpt from my book. The East-West Center also hosted a thoughtful discussion on religious freedom in Asia, focusing on India, China and Burma, where I spoke about my research.

Continuing foreign aid reflects American values, which we must remain true to in these turbulent times. America’s commitment to human rights and compassion sets us apart. As a nation blessed with liberty and prosperity, we should continue to let these principles guide us in helping the less fortunate. That’s also in our interests.

 

Knox Thames served at the State Department during the Obama and Trump administrations in a special envoy role focused on religious minorities. He has written a book about 21st century strategies to defeat religious persecution. He serves as a Senior Fellow at Pepperdine University and director of the Program on Global Faith and Inclusive Societies. Follow him on X, Threads and his website.