UK royal Prince Harry once again is facing deportation possibility as a US court has ruled that Prince Harry’s immigration files be disclosed by Tuesday.
Judge Carl Nichols has directed the release of documents pertaining to the Duke of Sussex’s US visa application, following a Freedom of Information (FOI)request. The conservative Heritage Foundation, a US think-tank, initiated the FOI request, suggesting the duke potentially omitted previous drug use which could have affected his visa eligibility. Court documents dated 15 March show Judge Nichols instructed the US Department of Homeland Security to provide a redacted version by Tuesday, as reported by Sky News.
Despite the same judge ruling in September last year that public interest in Harry’s immigration records was not substantial, the judge has now revised his position.
The Heritage Foundation sought this reversal, questioning Harry’s 2020 US entry following his admissions about cocaine, marijuana and psychedelic mushrooms in his book Spare. In his autobiography, Harry revealed: “cocaine didn’t do anything for me”, and added: “Marijuana is different, that actually really did help me.”
The foundation argued that his visa application responses regarding past drug use could raise concerns about governmental procedures. The Department of Homeland Security’s lawyers agreed in February to release censored versions, despite previously denying the FOI request.
Department lawyer John Bardo stated in court documents that they would remove information deemed withholdable by the Court. Even US President Donald Trump had addressed this concerns and stated to The New York Post in February that he wouldn’t deport Harry, saying: “I’ll leave him alone.”
He further took a jab at his wife saying, “He’s got enough problems with his wife. She’s terrible.” The Duchess of Sussex has openly criticised Trump, describing him as “divisive” and a “misogynist”.
However, in a March 2023 GB News interview with Nigel Farage, Trump (former president at the time) opposed special treatment for Harry, stating, “No. We’ll have to see if they know something about the drugs, and if he lied they’ll have to take appropriate action.”
Harry relocated to the US in 2020 with Meghan after briefly residing in Canada, following their departure from the Royal Family. They have since established their home in California with thier two children.
