Key facts
- The Trump administration has been considering disengaging from the UN refugee agency (UNHCR).
- Diplomats and UN officials are actively lobbying the U.S. to continue its support.
- The U.S. is UNHCR's largest historical donor, contributing $868 million in 2025.
- A disagreement over the appointment of UNHCR's deputy high commissioner is central to the U.S. deliberations.
- UNHCR is experiencing a financial crisis, with funding down significantly.
- The State Department stated no changes have been made to U.S. engagement with UNHCR.
The Trump administration has recently considered withdrawing support from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), prompting a significant diplomatic effort to prevent such a move. Sources familiar with the matter told Reuters that Washington, historically UNHCR's largest donor, has been contemplating disengagement, with a decision reportedly expected last week but not yet announced.
The core of the dispute appears to be the recent appointment of U.S. career diplomat Tressa Rae Finerty as UNHCR's deputy high commissioner. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and High Commissioner for Refugees Barham Salih selected Finerty over Simon Hankinson, a candidate favored by the U.S. who has criticized UNHCR's direction.
Diplomats and aid officials have alerted supporters to contact individuals within the U.S. administration to urge continued support for UNHCR. The agency has warned that a cessation of U.S. funding would severely impact its operations at a time of record global displacement. UNHCR is already grappling with a financial crisis, having seen its available funding decrease by approximately 30% in 2025 compared to the previous year, leading to job cuts.
A State Department spokesperson stated that there have been no changes to Washington's engagement with UNHCR, emphasizing that the U.S. works with the agency when it aligns with U.S. foreign policy interests or humanitarian goals. The spokesperson also noted that the U.S. continues to evaluate its role in international organizations, referencing an executive order from February 2025 to review participation and funding.