Prince Harry's Immigration Files Ordered to Be Made Public by US Court

A US court ruling has directed the release of Prince Harry's immigration documents, which may shed light on his visa eligibility given his admissions of past drug use. The decision comes on the heels of a request from the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank, which contends that Harry may have misrepresented his drug history to US immigration authorities.

A District Court judge, Carl Nichols, has ruled that Prince Harry's visa records are to be made public as of Tuesday. The ruling emanates from a Freedom of Information (FOI) request submitted by the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank based in Washington, D.C. This organization alleges that the Duke of Sussex did not disclose his past drug use, a factor which could have impacted his eligibility for a US visa.

The center of these allegations is Harry's autobiography, "Spare," published in January 2023, where the prince openly discusses his experiences with taking drugs like cocaine, marijuana, and psychedelic mushrooms. In his memoir, he reflects on trying cocaine at the age of 17, stating that it did not bring him enjoyment but made him feel different, which was his primary objective at the time. However, he described marijuana as significantly beneficial, stating it provided relief where cocaine did not.

Visa application forms for the United States typically inquire about an individual's past and current drug use, and findings of prior drug use can lead to the rejection of visa applications. The Heritage Foundation insists that if Prince Harry did not reveal his drug use to immigration authorities, it could lead to a potential lifetime ban from entering the US.

The White House and Prince Harry's office have been approached for comments regarding this order. The situation worsens for Harry as it follows another recent ruling in 2024, where the same judge deemed there was insufficient public interest to disclose the prince's immigration records. The Heritage Foundation's persistent efforts to challenge that decision have now led to this outcome.

Prince Harry, alongside his wife Meghan Markle, moved to the United States in 2020 after stepping back from their royal duties. While details of Harry's visa status remain undisclosed, Meghan is a US citizen. Former President Donald Trump previously denied plans to deport Prince Harry, humorously indicating in an interview that the prince already had enough complications stemming from his marriage. The Duchess has been openly critical of Trump, labeling him a "misogynist" in past statements.