Key facts
- The Trump administration is refusing to work with Tressa Rae Finerty, the new Deputy High Commissioner at the UN refugee agency.
- Finerty, a US citizen and career diplomat, is seeking a waiver from the US government to perform her duties.
- The US previously considered cutting ties with UNHCR and reportedly favored another candidate, Simon Hankinson.
- UNHCR is facing a severe funding crisis, with available funds estimated to be 15% lower in 2026 than in 2025.
- The US was UNHCR's largest donor, contributing over $800 million in 2025, but this dropped to around $110 million in 2026.
The Trump administration is refusing to engage with Tressa Rae Finerty, the recently appointed Deputy High Commissioner at the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), according to seven diplomatic sources. Finerty, an American career diplomat who took up her role earlier in September, has taken leave as she seeks a waiver from the US government that would permit her to carry out certain duties.
This situation highlights significant tensions between the US, a major donor, and the UN refugee agency. Diplomats view Washington's treatment of Finerty as a potential retaliatory measure after UNHCR did not select Simon Hankinson, the candidate favored by the administration. A State Department spokesperson stated that the department could not comment on pending legal issues but affirmed that "We work with and through UNHCR when doing so advances US foreign policy interests."
Finerty is currently unable to interact directly with US officials due to post-employment restrictions applicable to former US government personnel, which carry the risk of a prison sentence if violated. UNHCR confirmed to Reuters that Finerty requested a partial waiver in late August, specifically concerning her participation in multilateral meetings attended by US Department of State officials. The agency expressed hope for a "speedy and favourable resolution."
The standoff occurs as UNHCR faces one of its most severe funding crises, exacerbated by aid cuts from the Trump administration and others, at a time of record global displacement. The US had historically been UNHCR's largest donor, contributing over $800 million in 2025. However, contributions dropped significantly to approximately $110 million in 2026, with only $89 million being direct government funding. UNHCR estimates its available funds for 2026 may reach just over $3 billion, a 15% decrease from 2025 and a 43% drop from 2024.