President Donald Trump has ruled out deporting Prince Harry despite ongoing litigation over the Duke of Sussex’s U.S. immigration status. Speaking to The New York Post on Friday, Trump dismissed the idea of expelling Harry, stating, “I’ll leave him alone. He’s got enough problems with his wife. She’s terrible.”
The Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank, has been pushing for the release of Harry’s U.S. visa records, alleging that he may have concealed past drug use, which could have rendered him ineligible for entry into the country. The group cited Harry’s 2023 memoir, “Spare,” where he admitted to using cocaine, cannabis, and psychedelics.
A lawsuit filed by the Heritage Foundation against the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) argues that Harry either misrepresented his drug history on his application or received preferential treatment from the Biden administration. “Anyone who applies to the United States has to be truthful on their application, and it is not clear that is the case with Prince Harry,” Heritage’s Nile Gardiner told The Daily Telegraph.
At a recent hearing in Washington, D.C., U.S. District Court Judge Carl J. Nichols indicated that Harry’s immigration files may be released “to the maximum extent possible,” though he emphasized that privacy laws would be upheld.
During his 2024 campaign, Trump previously told Nigel Farage that the U.S. government would have to take “appropriate action” if it was proven that Harry lied on his application. However, he did not explicitly advocate for deportation. Trump also accused the Biden administration of “protecting” Harry, telling the Daily Express, “I wouldn’t protect him. He betrayed the Queen. That’s unforgivable. He would be on his own if it was down to me.”
Trump’s latest comments come just before the opening of the Invictus Games in Canada, an event founded by Prince Harry for wounded veterans. British newspapers have speculated that Harry has been reluctant to leave the U.S. due to concerns over reentry, though the prince himself has not confirmed this.
Trump took the opportunity to praise Prince William, whom he met privately in Paris in December during the reopening of Notre Dame Cathedral. “I think William is a great young man,” he told The New York Post.
The Sussexes have previously voiced disapproval of Trump. Meghan Markle publicly criticized him as “misogynistic” and “divisive” before the 2016 election, prompting Trump to call her “nasty” in 2019. He has also repeatedly disparaged Harry, telling correspondent Piers Morgan in 2022 that the prince was “whipped like no person he had ever seen.”
While Trump’s remarks remove an immediate threat of deportation, Heritage’s lawsuit continues. A judge is expected to determine the extent of disclosure regarding Harry’s immigration records. If released, the documents could clarify whether the prince received special treatment or misrepresented information on his visa application.
Legal experts note that deportation for past drug use typically requires a criminal conviction, which Harry does not have. However, the case remains a point of contention for conservatives advocating for strict immigration enforcement.
Despite speculation, neither Harry nor Meghan publicly campaigned against Trump in the 2024 election. It may have helped reduce the political pressure on Trump to target the prince.
Heritage Foundation’s Mike Howell previously suggested that Trump’s return to office in 2025 could increase the likelihood of deportation. However, Trump’s latest stance suggests otherwise, signaling that Harry’s immigration status may not be a top priority in his broader push for stricter border controls.
With Judge Nichols leaning toward partial disclosure of Harry’s visa records, the coming weeks could bring new developments. While the records could exonerate him, they may also reveal details that raise further questions about his application process. The exact type of visa Harry holds remains unknown, fueling speculation about whether he and Meghan had long planned their move before their official royal exit in 2020.
