Prince Harry's US residency at risk over drug use claims
Prince Harry admitted some time ago to using drugs. According to the law, such an admission could jeopardise his chances of remaining in the USA. Media reports indicate that one organisation is demanding to know what information Meghan Markle's husband disclosed in his visa application.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle left the British royal court a few years ago and relocated to California. Recently, there has been considerable media attention concerning King Charles' son's emigration to the USA. In his book Spare, he admitted to past drug use. According to the law, this could significantly affect his immigration status in the USA, as individuals applying for temporary or permanent residency must disclose their drug use history during the visa or residency process.
Individuals identified as "drug abusers" are categorized as "inadmissible." Still, immigration officials retain the discretion to make a final determination based on various factors, according to information from the BBC portal.
A conservative think tank is suing to have Prince Harry's visa documents disclosed to verify whether he admitted to drug use when applying for his visa. There are also allegations that he may have provided false information during his emigration to the USA. As foreign media recall, Donald Trump previously suggested that if he takes office, Prince Harry could be deported from the USA if he falsified information on his visa form.
Did Prince Harry lie on his US visa application?
The Heritage Foundation requested information on this matter but was subsequently rejected under the Freedom of Information Act. Without support from the Biden administration, lawyers and foundation members hope a new president might overturn the court's decision to keep the files confidential.
According to the Daily Mail, the foundation's lawyer believes publishing Harry's immigration files will help the public better understand how the Department operates and how its officials use their powers. Nile Gardiner, director of the Margaret Thatcher Freedom Centre at Heritage, also commented on the issue.
"I’ll be urging the president to release Prince Harry’s immigration records and the president does have that legal authority to do that. It’s important because this is an issue of the rule of law, transparency and accountability. No one should be above the law. Donald Trump is ushering in a new era of strict border control enforcement, and you know, Prince Harry should be held fully to account as he has admitted to extensive illegal drug use. My firm expectation is that action will be taken," he said in an interview with the "New York Post."