A US federal judge has ruled that Prince Harry’s US visa records must be made public by Tuesday (March 18), following a Freedom of Information (FOI) request filed by the conservative think-tank The Heritage Foundation.
Judge Carl Nichols ordered the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to release a redacted version of the documents, as per court filings dated March 15, according to UK’s Sky News.
The Heritage Foundation’s allegations
The Heritage Foundation has alleged that Prince Harry may have concealed past drug use in his visa application, which they argue should have disqualified him from obtaining a US visa.
The think-tank questioned why Harry was allowed into the US in 2020, despite references to drug use in his memoir, Spare. In the book, Harry admitted to using cocaine, marijuana, and psychedelic mushrooms.
“Cocaine didn’t do anything for me,” Harry wrote, adding, “Marijuana is different, that actually really did help me.”
The Foundation further argued that revealing Harry’s answers about prior drug use in his visa application could raise concerns about the integrity of the US immigration system.
Homeland Security’s response
Despite the previous rejection of an FOI request, DHS agreed in February to release redacted versions of the immigration forms.
Department of Homeland Security lawyer John Bardo stated in a court filing: “Specifically, Defendant would propose redacting all information in these items that would reveal information that the Court has determined Defendant can withhold.”
Trump’s comments on Prince Harry’s immigration status
President Donald Trump recently weighed in on Harry’s immigration status, ruling out any possibility of deportation.
“I’ll leave him alone,” Trump told The New York Post in February. “He’s got enough problems with his wife. She’s terrible.”
However, in a March 2023 interview on GB News, Trump suggested that Harry should not receive preferential treatment.
“No. We’ll have to see if they know something about the drugs, and if he lied, they’ll have to take appropriate action,” Trump stated.
Prince Harry’s move to the US
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle moved to the United States in 2020, after spending time in Canada, following their decision to step back from the Royal Family. The couple now lives in California with their two children.
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