US Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer Condemns Trump Admin Decision to Cut Aid to Haiti

WASHINGTON, DC – Senate Minority Leader, Charles “Chuck” Schumer, Tuesday condemned the decision of the Donald Trump administration to freezing, and now terminate   nearly all United States foreign aid, including those earmarked for Haiti.

Schumer, Democrat of New York, described the Trump’s  action as “a shortsighted mistake that hurts the people of Haiti, the America-Haiti relationship, and American interests in the region”.

He urged the administration to unfreeze and reinstate as soon as possible, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and foreign assistance for Haiti, which supports health initiatives, emergency response, food aid and security and more.

“Haiti is still recovering from the lingering after-effects of a monumental earthquake and ongoing political instability, including increasing gang-related violence, and that a reduction in US aid would only strengthen the hands of the forces of disorder in Haiti,” Schumer told the Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC).

“The more we do to stabilize things in Haiti, the lower the pressure for those there to leave and seek refuge elsewhere. US humanitarian and economic support to the Haitian people and security assistance to combat the gang violence are key to forging a safer and more prosperous democratic Haiti.”

Schumer noted that, just last year, USAID, the US government agency responsible for administering foreign aid and development assistance, disbursed US$317.6 million in aid to Haiti for emergency response, health initiatives, including HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment, and preventing maternal and child deaths, agriculture, as well as food aid and security.

“Now, nearly all foreign aid for Haiti is frozen or has been terminated after the Trump administration abruptly shut down USAID and all of its programs,” said Schumer, stating that USAID’s closure will have “a significant impact on the people of Haiti, as well as American foreign policy interests.

“The US-Haiti relationship is critically important, and the Haitian community in the US – and especially in New York from Brooklyn to Queens to Long Island to Rockland and beyond – is a valued and vibrant community.

“The United States, via USAID, has supported the people of Haiti for many years, providing vital assistance and strengthening the country’s food security, health programs, and emergency response,”  he added.

Schumer said that in times of crisis, the agency has continued its unwavering support through humanitarian assistance, emergency relief efforts and meeting the immediate needs of Haitians.

He said despite the lifesaving work of USAID, the Trump administration has taken drastic and damaging steps to shutter the agency and halted the organization’s critical humanitarian, economic, health, and security efforts.

“This is a mistake,” Schumer declared, urging the administration to “reverse course immediately and release foreign aid for Haiti ASAP (as soon as possible).

“The bottom line is that the aid we provide to Haiti is a win-win that helps both the people there and America’s best interests.”

The US Senate Minority Leader said USAID assistance to Haiti last year included US$141.6 million for emergency response; US$39.26 million for HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment; US$19.2 million for agriculture; US$16.46 million for maternal and child health; US$12.45 million for food aid/food security assistance; and US$11.98 million for basic health services.

Caribbean-American Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke, the daughter of Jamaican immigrants, told CMC that the consequences of Donald Trump and Elon Musk’s “chaotic and illegal freeze of foreign assistance amidst an ongoing humanitarian crisis in Haiti cannot be overstated.

“This administration’s despicable actions have caused countless Haitians to go hungry, allowed contagious diseases to spread unimpeded throughout the country, and given gangs free rein over the capital city of Port-au-Prince,” said Clarke.

“In little more than a month, the Trump administration has not only exacerbated an already dire humanitarian crisis, but also caused irreparable harm to Haitian stability and US national security,” added the chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, who represents the 9th Congressional District in Brooklyn, New York, “Truly, their cruelty stands without equal.”

New York State Assemblywoman, Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn, the daughter of Haitian immigrants, said the cuts to USAID funding will have “devastating consequences for Haiti, a nation already facing immense economic and humanitarian challenges.

“Reducing critical aid means fewer resources for healthcare, food security, and disaster relief—putting countless lives at risk,” added the daughter of Haitian immigrants, who chairs the Brooklyn Democratic Party.

“I stand with the Haitian community and urge policymakers to reconsider these harmful cuts and invest in a future where Haiti can thrive.”

Late last week, Haitian-American New York City Council Member, Farah Louis joined New York City Council colleagues, local and state legislators, community advocates, and clergy leaders in standing in solidarity with the Haitian community and demanding permanent protections for Haitian nationals with Temporary Protected Status (TPS).

Louis, the daughter of Haitian and Bahamian immigrants, who represents the 45th Council District in Brooklyn, said the Trump administration’s decision to terminate TPS for Haitian by August 2025 “threatens to uproot families, disrupt livelihoods, and force thousands back to a country in crisis.

“Haiti remains gripped by widespread violence, political instability and economic turmoil, creating significant risks for those forced to return. Armed groups control much of the capital, and humanitarian conditions continue to deteriorate,” she said.