London – A Washington D.C. district court has ordered the release of Prince Harry’s U.S. immigration files by the end of Tuesday, following a claim by the conservative Heritage Foundation that the British royal might have hidden previous drug use on his visa application. Harry resides in California with his wife, Meghan, and their children.
Visa applications for entry into the United States inquire about both current and historical drug use. Acknowledging drug use can result in the denial of visa applications, though immigration officials retain discretion in their final decisions based on numerous factors. Providing false information on visa applications could result in a lifetime ban from entering the U.S.
“The government has substantial discretion, but simply admitting to drug use is often not disqualifying for entry into the country. However, lying about drug use can have more serious consequences and could lead to disqualification,” noted CBS News legal analyst Jessica Levinson.
The Heritage Foundation claims that Harry may have been dishonest regarding his past drug use in his application. Their allegations stem from statements made in his memoir, published in January 2023, in which he discussed his experiences with various drugs.
Harry remarked that cocaine “wasn’t much fun, and it didn’t make me particularly happy, as it seemed to make everyone around me, but it did make me feel different, and that was the main goal.”
Additionally, he stated: “Marijuana is different. That actually really did help me.”
In 2023, shortly after the memoir’s publication, the Heritage Foundation filed a freedom of information request with the Department of Homeland Security, seeking access to Harry’s immigration records.
“Harry has openly admitted to significant illegal drug use. What this indicates is that Harry appears to have received preferential treatment: either the DHS overlooked the matter if the Prince was truthful or chose to ignore it if he lied on his visa application. Both scenarios are problematic,” Nile Gardiner from the Heritage Foundation commented in an online post in 2024.
Harry and Meghan relocated to the U.S. in 2020 after stepping back from their roles as working members of the British royal family.
While Meghan is a U.S. citizen, it remains unclear under what visa Harry entered the country. The prince has not publicly addressed the Heritage Foundation’s claims since they surfaced over a year ago.
In February, former President Trump dismissed the idea of deporting Harry, saying he would “leave him alone,” adding, “He’s got enough problems with his wife. She’s terrible.”
Meghan has been an outspoken critic of Mr. Trump.
“Most Americans dislike the idea of celebrities being treated differently than anyone else, and Harry’s high profile provides a clear insight into DHS practices,” argued Gardiner of the Heritage Foundation. “If DHS afforded Harry special treatment, the implications are significant: it suggests they may have done the same for others who are sufficiently famous or politically aligned, and could continue to do so.”
