Prince Harry faces a showdown in a US court this week over attempts to keep his immigration records secret.
The Duke of Sussex has considered becoming an American citizen, but those plans could be in jeopardy if a judge rules against him after Friday’s case in Washington DC.
A US think-tank is seeking to force the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to release Harry’s immigration records to determine if the Duke admitted his drugs use when he entered the United States in 2020.
Anyone applying for a visa to live and work in America has to answer ‘yes’ or ‘no’ to the question: ‘Are you or have you ever been a drug abuser or addict?’
In his memoir Spare, Harry admitted using drugs including marijuana, cocaine and magic mushrooms.
Last night, Nile Gardiner, director of the Margaret Thatcher Centre For Freedom at The Heritage Foundation, said: ‘A judge has the final say on whether the American public has the right to see whether the DHS afforded Prince Harry special treatment. He can no longer hide behind his liberal elite allies in the Biden administration.’
In an interview on ABC’s Good Morning America show on Friday, Harry said he was considering becoming a US citizen.
He said: ‘American citizenship is something that’s crossed my mind but certainly not something that’s a high priority for me right now.’
An LA immigration lawyer said: ‘This could be very serious for Prince Harry. If he didn’t tick the ‘yes’ box when he entered the States then his visa will be reviewed and it is possible it could be revoked.
If he is thinking of applying for citizenship, then having his visa revoked would be a disaster.’
Heritage Foundation lawyer Samuel Dewey said: ‘It could well be that he ticked the ‘yes’ box, in which case he would need a waiver to be granted a visa. We are simply asking who granted that waiver.’
The DHS will argue the release of Harry’s records would be an invasion of the Duke’s privacy.
In a court submission, a DHS lawyer wrote: ‘Courts hold that a person’s visa or immigration status is private, personal information exempt from disclosure.’
Judge Carl J. Nichols will release a written ruling within weeks.
James Parker is a UK-based entertainment aficionado who delves into the glitz and glamour of the entertainment industry. From Hollywood to the West End, he offers readers an insider’s perspective on the world of movies, music, and pop culture.
