State Department RIFs: Bureau-by-Bureau Breakdown of Department of State Layoffs

The State Department RIF (reduction-in-force) earlier this month has resulted in significant cuts across the agency, with nearly 1,350 employees laid off on July 11. This marks one of the largest department of state layoffs in recent history, and while every office felt the effects, some bureaus were hit harder than others.

According to data obtained by Federal News Network, the Bureau of Global Talent Management the State Department’s human resources office lost more than 150 employees, more than any other bureau. The Bureau of Consular Affairs was also heavily impacted, losing over 100 employees, though about 25 of those workers tied to passport operations were later reinstated. Officials emphasized that frontline staff who process and adjudicate passports were not part of the cuts, a move designed to avoid disrupting passport issuance and renewal services.

The State Department RIFs also affected the Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations, which manages U.S. diplomatic facilities worldwide, with nearly 100 staff reductions. While department leaders described the move as a streamlining effort, lawmakers and former diplomats criticized the layoffs as a blow to American diplomacy and national security.

What happened, bureau by bureau

• Bureau of Global Talent Management: >150 positions cut the largest single impact. A senior bureau official later told staff some notices were sent because of an “administrative error.”
  
  
• Bureau of Consular Affairs: >100 cuts; about 25 employees overseeing passport operations reinstated. Leadership stressed passport adjudicators and frontline processors were not part of the cuts. The office handles demand forecasting and staffing for passport agencies; passport processing returned to pre-pandemic times by the end of 2023.
  
  
• Overseas Buildings Operations: ~100 positions cut; this office manages the department’s international real estate portfolio.
  
  Other offices: reductions were spread across management and support functions; totals bring the July 11 RIF to nearly 1,350 separations.

Largest Cuts by Bureau

Mid-Sized Bureaus Also Impacted

Smaller Bureaus and Specialized Offices

Department-Wide Totals

Errors, reinstatements and department response

Senior officials acknowledged “very minor discrepancies” in RIF notices; those affected were largely reinstated quickly after review. Lew Olowski, the senior bureau official at Global Talent Management, told employees that some received notices due to administrative mistakes and that their positions were not being abolished as part of the reorganization.

On the ground: departures and protest

Employees who received RIF notices walked out of the department’s headquarters on July 11 carrying boxes and personal items. Staff and protesters gathered outside, applauding those leaving. The scenes underscored the human toll behind the numbers.

Critics and lawmakers push back

Former Under Secretary Uzra Zeya, now president and CEO of Human Rights First, said the RIF “decimates U.S. diplomacy and it makes us less safe,” arguing the cuts undercut longtime institutional expertise. Kelly Rodriguez, a former senior diplomat who led global labor policy, warned the layoffs weaken efforts to combat forced child labor and protect fair competition with downstream impacts on supply chains and national security. Sen. Andy Kim (D-N.J.) said RIF’d employees “deserved better,” noting that many served in harm’s way. Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) said the layoffs diminish U.S. capacity to advance its interests and values abroad.

Leadership defense

Department officials framed the RIF as a targeted effort to combine overlapping management functions and find efficiencies not a reduction of frontline operational capacity. Deputy Secretary Rigas emphasized that certain administrative functions could be consolidated across the department to achieve economies of scale.

Why it matters

The State Department RIFs removed hundreds of experienced staff from offices that support diplomacy, passport services and global operations. Even with many reinstatements for errors and assurances that frontline passport processing was preserved, critics argue the cuts risk weakening U.S. diplomatic reach and critical programmatic work overseas.

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Conclusion

The State Department RIFs on July 11 marked one of the largest workforce reductions in the agency’s recent history, with more than 1,300 employees affected across bureaus that play critical roles in diplomacy, human resources, and overseas operations. While leadership framed the cuts as an efficiency measure that spared frontline passport services, the fallout has sparked sharp criticism from lawmakers, diplomats, and advocacy groups who argue the layoffs weaken U.S. diplomacy, national security, and America’s ability to lead on global issues.

As employees and observers continue to process the impact, one reality is clear: the department of state layoffs have reshaped the workforce in ways that will ripple across U.S. foreign policy for years to come. Whether those changes lead to lasting efficiencies or lasting damage remains to be seen.

FAQs About Layoffs

What state has the most layoffs?

Layoffs vary month to month, but states with the largest workforces and major corporate hubs usually report the highest numbers. In recent years, California (because of its large tech sector) and Texas (with major energy and tech employers) have consistently recorded the most layoffs. Data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics shows California often tops the list during periods of tech or entertainment industry cutbacks.

Which company has the highest layoff in India?

In India, major tech and startup companies have led the biggest layoffs in recent years. Firms such as Byju’s, Wipro, and Tech Mahindra have all announced large workforce reductions, with Byju’s standing out as one of the companies with the highest layoffs, cutting thousands of jobs as it restructured its operations and dealt with financial challenges.

Are layoffs still happening in 2025?

Yes. Even in 2025, layoffs are still happening across sectors such as technology, finance, and media. While not as severe as the peak during 2022–2023, companies are still adjusting staff levels due to automation, economic pressures, and global market uncertainty. Industries tied to AI-driven restructuring and efficiency drives remain particularly affected.

Which employees are most likely to be laid off?

Employees in support or administrative roles, as well as those in industries undergoing rapid automation or restructuring, are often most vulnerable during layoffs. Contract workers, newer hires, and those in positions considered “non-core” to business operations also face higher risk. By contrast, employees in revenue-generating, technical, or customer-facing roles are generally less likely to be cut.

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