Prince Harry’s royal status didn’t shield him from immigration scrutiny as newly unsealed visa records raise serious questions about his drug admissions. Conservative watchdog The Heritage Foundation has been fighting to determine if the exiled royal received special treatment after openly admitting to cocaine use in his tell-all memoir.
At a glance:
• Prince Harry’s U.S. immigration records were released but heavily redacted, concealing key details about his visa application
• The Heritage Foundation sought information on whether Harry received special treatment despite admitting to past drug use in his memoir “Spare”
• Federal officials argued releasing detailed records would subject Harry to “harassment” and “unwanted contact”
• U.S. immigration law typically considers applicants with histories of drug abuse inadmissible
• Harry could face deportation if he lied about drug use on his immigration forms
Special Treatment for Royal Elite?
The federal government has released heavily redacted documents regarding Prince Harry’s immigration status following a lawsuit from the Heritage Foundation. The conservative organization demanded transparency about whether the Duke of Sussex received preferential treatment from the Biden administration despite admitting to illegal drug use.
The files may be redacted, but this is still huge.
Harry’s 2023 memoir “Spare” contained multiple admissions of drug use, including cocaine, marijuana, and magic mushrooms, raising questions about what he disclosed on his visa application. The redacted documents released this week conceal crucial information about Harry’s specific visa classification and application details.
Government Shields Royal from Scrutiny
Federal officials argued vigorously against releasing Harry’s complete immigration records, claiming it would subject him to potential harassment. Jarrod Panter from the Department of Homeland Security stated in court documents, “To release his exact status could subject him to reasonably foreseeable harm in the form of harassment as well as unwanted contact by the media and others.”
Judge Carl Nichols ultimately sided with the government, ruling that “Plaintiffs have not established public interest, as defined by the FOIA, in disclosure of the records.” The decision effectively shields Harry from the same scrutiny ordinary immigrants face when applying for U.S. residency.
Potential Deportation Risk Remains
Heritage Foundation attorney Samuel Dewey highlighted the serious implications if Harry wasn’t truthful on his immigration forms.
“If he lied, that gets you deported. People are routinely deported for lying on immigration forms,” Dewey stated regarding the potential consequences for the royal.
U.S. immigration law explicitly states that “applicants who are found to be drug abusers or addicts are inadmissible,” according to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services manual. This policy applies to all applicants regardless of wealth, fame, or royal lineage.
Harry and his wife Meghan Markle relocated to California in 2020 after stepping down from their royal duties. The Prince has mentioned he has “considered” applying for U.S. citizenship but noted it wasn’t a priority, possibly because he would be required to renounce his royal titles.
Harry may well be stressed by the lawsuit and the potential implications that come with it, but he should rest assured that President Donald Trump is on his side in on way: he openly admitted recently that he wouldn’t deport Harry because he has “enough problems” with his wife, Meghan.
Savage!
