It looks like Prince Harry is not going to be kicked out of the United States anytime soon after a judge ruled his immigration records will remain private.
After the Duke of Sussex revealed in his memoir ‘Spare’ that he had taken cocaine, marijuana and psychedelic mushrooms, the conservative think tank The Heritage Foundation submitted a Freedom of Information request to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, asking them to release his immigration records.
The think tank argued that U.S. law “generally renders such a person [who has admitted to taking illegal drugs] inadmissible for entry” to the country – suggesting that either Prince Harry failed to declare his past drug use in his application, or U.S. officials turned a blind eye.
Of course, we do not know what kind of visa Prince Harry has obtained in order to live in Montecito with his wife, Meghan, and two young children.
Melissa Chavin, a U.S. immigration lawyer at the Chavin Immigration Law Office, told GB News’s The Royal Record podcast in June that she believes Prince Harry could be on an A-1 diplomatic visa.
If this is the case, Melissa explained that obtaining an A-1 focuses on only three areas: “terrorism, contrary to foreign policy, and espionage”.
Prince Harry is not going to be kicked out of the United States anytime soon after a judge ruled his immigration records will remain private.
Reuters
Even if further background checks were carried out by U.S. officials, Ms Chavin explains, Harry’s past drug use wouldn’t necessarily have come up.
The Heritage Foundation sued the U.S. Government after they refused to release the Duke of Sussex’s visa application, on the grounds he has a right to privacy.
The DHS said in its legal claim: “Much like health, financial, or employment information, a person’s immigration information is private personal information”.
Last night, U.S. Judge Carl Nichols’ ruling was unsealed, where he said: “The public does not have a strong interest in disclosure of The Duke’s immigration records”.
The Heritage Foundation sued the U.S. Government after they refused to release the Duke of Sussex’s visa application, on the grounds he has a right to privacy
Reuters
Judge Nichols added: “The Duke’s public statements about his travel and drug use did not disclose, and therefore did not eliminate his interest in keeping private, specific information regarding his immigration status, applications, or other materials.”
On the one hand, Prince Harry is a private individual and, like everybody, has a right to keep his immigration records sealed.
The Duke is also not the first high-profile figure to be allowed to enter the United States, having previously admitted taking illegal drugs.
On the other, The Heritage Foundation has previously argued that U.S. citizens have a right to know if a privileged prince has been given special treatment.
The Duke is also not the first high-profile figure to be allowed to enter the United States, having previously admitted taking illegal drugs.
Reuters
The Heritage Foundation has been approached for comment, and it is not known whether they plan to appeal the judge’s decision.
The timing of the judge’s ruling has come at a very inconvenient time for Harry, who’s currently focused on two days of charitable engagements in New York City.
Even though his immigration records will remain private for now, the ruling has ignited further speculation and has become an unwelcome distraction.
LATEST ROYAL NEWS:
The timing of the judge’s ruling has come at a very inconvenient time for Harry, who’s currently focused on two days of charitable engagements in New York City.
Reuters
Yesterday, Prince Harry joined two winners of the Diana Legacy Award on stage to talk about the global mental health crisis facing young people.
He also backed a push to complete clearing landmines in Angola with The Halo Trust, honouring his mother’s legacy and saying she would want campaigners to “finish this particular job”.
The Duke of Sussex also attended a private event with Africa Parks, and today he is spending time with former U.S. President Bill Clinton and his daughter, Chelsea, “discussing finding solutions to global challenges”.
A representative for Prince Harry has been approached for comment.
