Washington court orders release of Prince Harry’s immigration files amid legal battle over drug past
Prince Harry’s US immigration files set for release amid controversy (Photo: Getty Images)
Prince Harry’s immigration records must be made public by the end of Tuesday under a Washington court ruling, CBS News reports. The conservative Heritage Foundation is demanding the disclosure, suspecting that the prince may have withheld information about his past when applying for a US visa.
US visa applications include questions about drug use, and while admitting to it does not always lead to rejection, lying can result in a lifetime ban from entering the country.
"Admitting to drug use is often not disqualifying, but lying about it on a visa application can be much more serious and potentially disqualifying," explained CBS News legal analyst Jessica Levinson.
The Heritage Foundation claims that Harry may have lied on his application, referencing his 2023 memoir, in which he admitted to using drugs. "Cocaine… wasn’t much fun, and it didn’t make me particularly happy, but it did make me feel different, and that was the main goal," Harry wrote. He had a different opinion on marijuana, stating, "It actually really did help me."
The foundation filed a request with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) demanding the release of Harry’s immigration records. "Harry has publicly admitted to illegal drug use. What does this mean? That he seems to have received special treatment - either DHS turned a blind eye if he answered truthfully, or it turned a blind eye if he lied on his visa application. Either scenario would be wrong," said Heritage Foundation representative Nile Gardiner.
Political impact and personal crisis
Prince Harry moved to the US in 2020 with Meghan Markle after stepping down from royal duties. While Meghan is a US citizen, Harry’s visa status remains unclear. He has not commented on the foundation’s claims.
In February, Donald Trump ruled out deporting the prince, stating, "I’ll leave him alone. He’s got enough problems with his wife. She’s terrible." Markle has been an outspoken critic of Trump, which may have influenced his stance.
The allegations come amid ongoing rumors of trouble in Harry and Meghan’s marriage. Reports earlier this year suggested that their relationship could face serious challenges in 2025 due to differing future aspirations.
Additionally, Markle fueled divorce speculation in January by returning to Instagram, causing concern among her fans.
At the same time, attention to Harry’s case is growing as the US intensifies its immigration policies. Recently, the Trump administration defied a judge’s order and deported hundreds of immigrants, highlighting that even court rulings do not always stop authorities from taking action.
