Introduction
In a sweeping and controversial move, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has terminated the contracts of 70 foreign researchers as part of a new national security initiative. This decision, announced on July 18, 2025, marks one of the most significant security-motivated personnel actions in the history of the USDA’s research enterprises. The firings come amid intensifying efforts by the U.S. government to protect the nation’s food supply and agricultural innovation from perceived threats posed by foreign adversaries, particularly China, Russia, North Korea, and Iran.
The Security Review and Decision
The dismissals are the result of a comprehensive national security review that began earlier in 2025. According to USDA statements, the review assessed all individuals allowed to work on contracts with the department, focusing on those from “countries of concern”. This measure was part of a broader farm security strategy announced by U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins on July 8, aiming to:
- Protect the U.S. food supply chain.
- Prevent citizens from the targeted countries from acquiring U.S. farmland.
- Terminate ongoing research collaborations with those countries.
As Secretary Rollins stated, “These actions are necessary to secure the U.S. food supply” from foreign interference and ensure the national interest is protected.
Who Was Affected?
The 70 researchers terminated were contract workers assigned to the Agricultural Research Service (ARS), the USDA’s in-house scientific research branch. The vast majority of those affected were reportedly Chinese post-doctoral researchers working on two-year contracts. These scientists had already undergone strict background vetting before employment.
Thomas Henderson, president of the American Federation of Government Employees Local 1657, which represents ARS workers in Albany, California, described the abruptness of the action. Several researchers arrived at work on July 9 to discover their access badges had been deactivated, effectively ending their tenure overnight.
Impact on Science and Farmers
The immediate impact of these firings extends far beyond the individuals themselves. The ARS is responsible for critical research in areas like food safety, pest management, and climate change adaptation—fields that are essential to American farmers and the broader food industry. Union officials and scientists warn that the loss of these researchers will severely hamper ongoing and future scientific projects.
Because of a concurrent federal hiring freeze extended through October 15, 2025, the USDA is unable to replace the fired staff in the near term. This freeze forces the halt of scientific work that directly benefits American agriculture, such as efforts to develop a vaccine for a deadly toxin found in undercooked beef. “We don’t have the talent now to progress on these research projects. It’s setting us back by years, if not decades,” Henderson said.
The USDA declined to respond to concerns about the loss of research capacity, but the ARS has seen massive workforce reductions in recent years, already losing over 17% of its 2024 staffing level due to previous government terminations and incentive programs.
Additional Security Measures and Restrictions
Alongside the dismissals, Secretary Rollins issued a memorandum prohibiting USDA staff from:
Publishing research with foreign nationals from the four “countries of concern” without agency approval.
Attending events organized by entities from these countries.
Current research publications involving foreign nationals from these countries will undergo re-review, and many are expected to be denied publication outright.
Broader National Security Context
This move by the USDA is part of a growing trend across U.S. federal agencies to scrutinize and limit foreign involvement in sensitive areas of research and land ownership. A recently unveiled national farm security plan includes a new web database for reporting suspicious foreign investment in farmland, and a memorandum of understanding with the Department of Treasury for joint oversight on foreign transactions in agriculture.
Policymakers behind these initiatives argue such steps are essential to counter illicit foreign influence, espionage, and the theft of agricultural technology and research.
Reactions and Criticism
While the USDA frames these actions as a “necessary defense” of the national food system, critics voice concerns about the broader implications for American science and international collaboration. They argue that cutting off talented foreign researchers could undermine U.S. leadership in agricultural innovation and damage relationships with the global scientific community.
Moreover, the sudden nature of the firings, particularly the abrupt deactivation of badges and lack of notice for the affected researchers, has drawn backlash from both inside and outside the government. Many scientists caution that such moves risk setting back crucial research for years and diminishing the allure of U.S. agencies to the best international minds.
Conclusion
The USDA’s dismissal of 70 foreign researchers illustrates the difficult balance between national security and maintaining a vibrant, internationally cooperative scientific enterprise. As debate continues over the necessity and proportionality of such protective actions, the consequences for America’s agricultural future and scientific standing are set to unfold in the coming months.