Heritage Foundation sues for public release of Prince Harry’s immigration records
Misty Severi
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The Heritage Foundation sued the Department of Homeland Security for a copy of Prince Harry’s immigration records on Monday, citing the prince’s admitted use of illegal drugs.
The foundation filed the suit through the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, and it came one month after the group requested the information through the Freedom of Information Act. Although immigration records are usually exempt from a FOIA request, the organization argued that the public deserves to know how the British prince was allowed entry into the U.S.
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“Widespread and continuous media coverage has surfaced the question of whether DHS properly admitted the Duke of Sussex in light of the fact that he has publicly admitted to the essential elements of a number of drug offenses in both the United States and abroad,” the foundation said in the lawsuit.
“Intense media coverage has also surfaced the question of whether DHS may have improperly granted the Duke of Sussex a waiver to enter the country on a non-immigrant visa given his history of admissions to the essential elements of drug offenses.”
The Washington Examiner has reached out to the foundation for comment.
Harry, who married U.S. actress Meghan Markle in 2018, likely entered the U.S. on a spousal visa because of Markle’s citizenship. But he could have alternatively been issued an O-1 visa, which is normally granted to people who display an “extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics,” or a record of extraordinary achievement in film or television. The couple now resides in California.
Although Harry would qualify for a spousal visa because of his marriage to Markle, the use of illegal drugs would normally bar a person from moving into the country. Harry admitted to using drugs such as cocaine, mushrooms, and marijuana in his memoir Spare, which was released earlier this year. The prince said he first did cocaine at the age of 17 and has used it sparingly since. However, he also admitted his use of marijuana and mushrooms have helped him deal with trauma.
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Tensions between the British palace and Harry have increased in the past couple of years but reached an all-time high after the publication of his memoir and a recent in-depth documentary series that aired on Netflix last December.
Despite the tension in the family, Harry will be at the coronation of his father, King Charles III, on Saturday. Meghan will remain in California.