A U.S. federal judge has mandated the release of Prince Harry’s immigration records following his public admissions of past drug use. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has been instructed to provide these documents by March 18, 2025, in response to a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request filed by the conservative think tank, the Heritage Foundation.
In his 2023 memoir, Spare, Prince Harry detailed his experiences with substances such as cocaine, marijuana, and psychedelic mushrooms. These revelations prompted the Heritage Foundation to question whether he had disclosed this information during his visa application process. U.S. immigration law typically requires applicants to declare any past illegal drug use, which can influence their eligibility for entry.
Initially, the DHS resisted releasing Prince Harry’s visa records, citing privacy concerns. However, the court ruled that the public interest in this case outweighs those concerns, leading to the order for a redacted version of the documents to be made public.
The forthcoming release of these records has sparked debates about potential repercussions for Prince Harry’s residency in the United States. Legal experts note that if he failed to disclose his drug use on his visa application, it could pose challenges to his immigration status. However, some analysts argue that given his high-profile status and the lack of any criminal convictions related to his admissions, significant consequences are unlikely.
This development adds to the ongoing public discourse surrounding the Duke and Duchess of Sussex since their relocation to the U.S. in 2020. The couple has frequently been in the media spotlight, navigating both personal and public challenges as they establish their lives outside the British royal family.
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