Prince Harry Immigration Docs Released, No Evidence of Special Treatment
In March 2023, the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank, sought access to U.S. immigration records of Prince Harry, following his admissions of past drug use in his memoir, Spare. They filed a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to determine if he had disclosed this information during his visa application process.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) initially denied the FOIA request, citing privacy concerns. In response, the Heritage Foundation filed a lawsuit in April 2023, arguing that there was significant public interest in understanding whether Prince Harry received special treatment during his immigration process.
In March 2024, a U.S. federal judge ordered DHS to provide Prince Harry’s visa application details to the court. Despite this order, the documents remained largely confidential due to privacy considerations. The case was closed in September 2024 after the issuance of sealed orders and a sealed memorandum opinion. The Heritage Foundation subsequently requested the release of confidential correspondence between the judge and DHS.
In February, DHS attorneys identified three items in Prince Harry’s visa documents that could be released with redactions. A judge set a deadline of March 18, for the release of these redacted documents. On that date, DHS complied by releasing over 80 pages of court filings and transcripts, with substantial portions redacted to protect Prince Harry’s privacy.
The released documents did not include Prince Harry’s visa application itself, leaving questions about whether he disclosed his past drug use unanswered. Immigration officials stated that revealing his exact immigration status could lead to unwanted media attention and harassment.
Throughout this process, there has been no evidence suggesting that Prince Harry received special treatment during his immigration process. The documents released indicate that standard regulatory procedures were followed in reviewing and granting his immigration benefits, in compliance with the Immigration and Nationality Act.
As of now, Prince Harry continues to reside in the United States with his wife, Meghan (Markle), Duchess of Sussex, and their children. He has expressed enjoyment in living in the U.S., though he has indicated that becoming a U.S. citizen is not a high priority for him.
This case highlights the ongoing debate between individual privacy rights and public interest in the context of U.S. immigration laws. The balance between transparency and confidentiality remains a contentious issue, particularly when it involves high-profile individuals.
