A legal battle over Prince Harry's U.S. immigration records takes center stage as Donald Trump's presidency ushers in potential consequences for the British royal's past drug admissions.
According to the Daily Mail, the Heritage Foundation's lawsuit seeking access to Prince Harry's visa documentation is scheduled for its first court hearing since Trump's inauguration, following the president's statement that he "wouldn't protect" the Duke of Sussex.
The conservative think tank's renewed legal pursuit stems from questions about Harry's 2020 U.S. entry, particularly concerning his documented drug use admissions in his 2023 memoir "Spare." Heritage Foundation argues that the royal either misrepresented his history on immigration forms or received preferential treatment from the Biden administration.
The newly elected president has taken a firm position regarding Prince Harry's immigration status. Trump's previous criticisms of the duke, particularly regarding what he termed a "betrayal" of Queen Elizabeth II, suggest a potentially stringent approach to the case. The former president explicitly stated he would not extend special protection to Harry.
Nile Gardiner, director of Heritage's Margaret Thatcher Center for Freedom, expressed his intention to urge President Trump to release the immigration records. He emphasized the administration's commitment to strict border control enforcement and insisted on holding Prince Harry accountable for his admitted drug use.
The Heritage Foundation's previous attempt to access Harry's records through a Freedom of Information request was unsuccessful. Judge Carl J. Nichols initially ruled to maintain the privacy of these documents, but the foundation has since reopened the case.
The stakes are particularly high for Prince Harry, who has built a life in California with his wife, Meghan, and their children since 2020. If the records become public and reveal any discrepancies, the duke could face serious immigration consequences.
Trump addressed the potential ramifications during an interview with Nigel Farage on GB News. When questioned about special privileges for Harry, Trump stated:
We'll have to see if they know something about the drugs, and if he lied they'll have to take appropriate action.
The situation is further complicated by Harry's detailed accounts of drug use in his memoir. He openly discussed his experiences with cocaine, marijuana, and psychedelic substances, including ayahuasca. These admissions have become central to the Heritage Foundation's argument for releasing his immigration records.
The scheduled court hearing, set for Wednesday, February 5, marks a crucial moment in determining Prince Harry's immigration status. Judge Carl J. Nichols has ordered lawyers from both the Heritage Foundation and the Department of Homeland Security to convene at a federal court in Washington, DC.
The case highlights the complex intersection of immigration law and high-profile international figures. As visa applicants must legally declare any history of drug use, the Foundation's pursuit of these records could have far-reaching implications for the duke's residency status.
The mounting pressure from the Trump administration and conservative groups suggests an increasingly precarious situation for the royal family members.
Prince Harry's U.S. residency faces unprecedented scrutiny as the Heritage Foundation pursues access to his immigration records under the new Trump administration. The legal challenge centers on the duke's admitted drug use history and questions about his 2020 entry into the United States. With the February 5 court hearing approaching, the outcome could potentially force the Duke of Sussex to leave his California residence, significantly impacting his life with Meghan and their children in Montecito.
