Finerty takes leave while seeking State Department waiver
The Trump administration is refusing to work with the newly appointed deputy head of the United Nations refugee agency, Reuters reported Wednesday.
Tressa Rae Finerty, an American who took up the role of deputy high commissioner at UNHCR earlier this month, has taken leave as she seeks a waiver from the US government that would allow her to carry out aspects of her duties, according to seven diplomatic sources.
Her treatment by Washington is seen by several of the diplomats as a retaliatory response after UNHCR opted against Washington’s preferred candidate, Simon Hankinson. Washington had previously considered cutting ties with the agency.
A State Department spokesperson said it could not comment on pending legal issues. “We work with and through UNHCR when doing so advances US foreign policy interests,” the spokesperson said.