Deadline Approaches for Release of Prince Harry’s Immigration Records

WASHINGTON, D.C. — A U.S. District Court judge has ordered the release of Prince Harry‘s immigration files by the end of Tuesday, following allegations that he may have concealed past drug use on his visa application. Judge Carl Nichols issued the order in response to a Freedom of Information (FOI) request filed by the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank.

The Heritage Foundation claims that the Duke of Sussex did not fully disclose his history of substance use, which includes cocaine, marijuana, and psychedelic mushrooms, as mentioned in his memoir, Spare. The judge’s ruling mandates that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) comply by publishing these documents by the deadline.

“The government has provided the court with its proposed redactions,” Judge Nichols said, indicating that some sensitive information would remain confidential. “Those redactions appearing appropriate shall be lodged on the docket no later than two days from now.”

In Spare, published in January 2023, Prince Harry disclosed trying cocaine at age 17, stating, “It wasn’t much fun, and it didn’t make me particularly happy…but it did make me feel different.” He also attributed therapeutic benefits to marijuana, expressing that “cocaine didn’t do anything for me.” These admissions have raised serious questions about his immigration status in the United States.

U.S. visa applicants are required to disclose past and present drug use. Concealment of such information can result in visa denials or, in some cases, a lifetime ban on entry. The Heritage Foundation argues that Harry’s responses were either misleading or incomplete, which could have significant implications for his residency status.

While the Department of Homeland Security initially resisted the FOI request, claiming it was against public interest to disclose Harry’s private documents, the foundation successfully challenged this stance. The judge’s ruling followed a previous decision where he found insufficient public interest to justify disclosing Harry’s records.

The White House and representatives for Prince Harry have not commented publicly on the lawsuit. Meanwhile, public speculation surrounds the nature of Harry’s visa and whether he adhered to the necessary immigration regulations when entering the United States in 2020 with his wife, Meghan.

Once a member of the British royal family, Harry and Meghan stepped back from royal duties to seek independence and privacy in their personal lives. However, this case has reignited discussions about celebrity status and immigration privileges.

Former President Donald Trump weighed in on the issue during a February interview, dismissing claims that Harry might face deportation: “I’ll leave him alone. He’s got enough problems with his wife. She’s terrible.” Trump’s comments highlight the public interest and polarization surrounding the royal couple.

As the Tuesday deadline approaches, all eyes are on the DHS and whether they will comply with the release order. The documentation could shed light on whether the Duke of Sussex followed the same protocol as any other visa applicant, thereby resolving ongoing questions about his immigration status.