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WASHINGTON (AP) — A federal judge is currently deliberating on the ongoing court case regarding the potential release of documents that may have legal implications for Prince Harry. This case arises from a request by a prominent conservative think tank, the Heritage Foundation, which aims to determine if he was truthful in his immigration paperwork concerning his history of drug use, or whether he received any preferential treatment to gain entry into the United States.
The matter is being overseen by U.S. District Judge Carl Nichols, focusing on the events surrounding Harry’s immigration status when he and his wife, Meghan Markle, relocated to Southern California in 2020. The Heritage Foundation initiated legal action after the Department of Homeland Security mostly rejected their Freedom of Information Act request that sought records pertaining to Harry’s immigration.
Nile Gardiner, who leads the Heritage Foundation’s Margaret Thatcher Center for Freedom, asserted, “The American populace deserves to know whether Prince Harry was honest on his application.”
The Heritage Foundation contends there is considerable public concern regarding the possibility that Harry was granted special consideration in his application process, particularly following revelations in his 2023 memoir “Spare”, where he candidly discussed his experiences with drug use.
In “Spare,” Harry disclosed that he experimented with cocaine several times beginning at the age of 17, motivated by a desire for emotional exploration. He also admitted to the use of cannabis and psychedelic mushrooms.
The standard U.S. visa application process routinely inquires about prior drug use, a factor known to complicate the travel plans of numerous celebrities, including chef Nigella Lawson, singer Amy Winehouse, and model Kate Moss. While a history of drug use doesn’t automatically prohibit entry, providing false information can lead to severe repercussions.
Attorney Samuel Dewey from the Heritage Foundation commented on this reality: “Lying on immigration forms can lead to deportation. This is a common consequence.”
Dewey mentioned that it’s also conceivable that Harry may have accurately disclosed his prior drug use and potentially received a waiver from the Department of Homeland Security or a diplomatic visa from the State Department. Both scenarios are permissible, yet they could subject the government and Harry to potential allegations of preferential treatment.
During Wednesday’s proceedings, Judge Nichols concentrated on how to manage three sworn statements from DHS officials elaborating on the agency’s reasons for resisting the records request. These statements have yet to be reviewed by the Heritage Foundation’s legal team, and the judge is weighing whether to disclose any part of these declarations to them. He expressed the possibility of requesting additional documentation from the government and considering the input of an outside expert for clarification.
Nichols emphasized the need to find a compromise between revealing enough detail in the DHS statements and redacting too much information, leaving only insignificant data.
Gardiner also extended an appeal to former President Donald Trump, who previously prioritized immigration security during his campaigns, to resolve this matter by simply disclosing Harry’s immigration records.
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This report includes contributions from Associated Press writer Lindsay Whitehurst.
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