Court Documents on Prince Harry's U.S. Immigration Inquiry Released
In London, court documents tied to a request for Prince Harry's U.S. immigration files were made public on Tuesday. This follows a Washington D.C. district court's order, prompted by the Heritage Foundation's claims that the prince may have hidden past drug use when applying for his visa. Prince Harry resides in California with Meghan and their children.
The released documents include responses from several federal agencies to the Heritage Foundation's request, but not Harry's immigration records. Many sections related to him or his immigration status were heavily redacted.
U.S. visa applications inquire about past and present drug use. While admitting to drug use can lead to visa denial, immigration officers have the discretion to consider various factors. Providing false information on visa applications can result in a lifetime ban from the U.S.
Jessica Levinson, a legal contributor, explained that while admitting drug use doesn't automatically disqualify someone, lying about it could have more serious consequences.
The Heritage Foundation suspects Harry may have lied about drug use on his visa application, based on admissions in his memoir published in January 2023, where he discussed using drugs like cocaine and marijuana.
The Heritage Foundation filed a freedom of information request with the Department of Homeland Security in 2023, shortly after Harry's book release, to access his immigration documents.
Nile Gardiner from the Heritage Foundation argued online in 2024 that Harry might have received preferential treatment, suggesting that either the DHS ignored truthful admissions or overlooked falsehoods on his application.
Harry and Meghan relocated to the U.S. in 2020 after stepping back from their royal duties. Meghan is a U.S. citizen, but Harry's visa type remains unclear. He has not publicly addressed the Heritage Foundation's claims.
In February, President Trump stated he would not deport Harry, commenting, "He's got enough problems with his wife. She's terrible." Meghan has been openly critical of Trump.
Gardiner from the Heritage Foundation argued that Americans generally oppose celebrities receiving special treatment, and Harry's case highlights potential DHS conduct issues. He suggested that if Harry received special treatment, it might indicate similar past actions for other famous or politically connected individuals.
This story has been updated to clarify that court documents related to Prince Harry's immigration status have been released, correcting an earlier version that incorrectly stated the release would include immigration records.