In a surprising interview with Nigel Farage from GB News, former U.S. President Donald Trump suggested that Prince Harry could face deportation if Trump were to regain office.
“Appropriate action will be taken if he lied,” warned Trump, referring to Prince Harry’s U.S. visa application.
Trump’s comments have sparked renewed attention to Prince Harry’s immigration status, specifically in light of his admissions of previous drug use in his book, “Spare.”
Trump has been openly critical of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s decision to renounce their royal responsibilities and relocate to the U.S. He has consistently highlighted their perceived disrespect towards Queen Elizabeth II. Trump has publicly suggested that irregularities in Harry’s visa application, especially his past drug use, could jeopardize his immigration status.
The Heritage Foundation, a conservative research institution, has played a significant role in stimulating this debate by scrutinizing the transparency of Harry’s immigration process. The Foundation submitted a Freedom of Information Act request last year and sued the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to access Harry’s immigration records, with his confessed drug use being cited as a possible influence on his immigration status. However, these documents have been withheld by the Biden administration, prioritizing privacy over public disclosure.
Legal authorities and immigration experts have suggested that Trump’s statements may be more politically driven than based on solid legal criteria. They emphasize that past drug use does not automatically make someone ineligible for a U.S. visa. Each application is assessed on its individual merits, with honesty and context being vital elements.
Understanding the legal context is crucial in response to Trump’s hints at deportation. U.S. visa applications do ask about illegal drug use, and dishonesty can lead to severe penalties. However, the U.S. immigration system does allow for certain waivers and considerations, especially if the applicant can prove rehabilitation or if the drug use was minimal.
At this point, Prince Harry has expressed no interest in becoming a U.S. citizen. His legal representatives maintain that the disclosures in his book do not constitute formal admissions of drug use in a legal sense, thus mitigating their effect on his visa status.
A federal judge has ordered that the Department of Homeland Security must present Harry’s visa paperwork for judicial review. The objective is to decide whether the documents should be disclosed to the public. On Sunday, March 17, the department’s lawyers requested extra time to find the documents.
A federal judge is now examining Prince Harry’s visa application following concerns about potential preferential treatment allowing him to reside in the U.S., despite his previous admissions of drug use.
According to legal documents reviewed by Newsweek in April, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) claimed it had complied with the mandate by providing sworn statements and supporting documents for one-sided evaluation through a secure, encrypted connection.
