Donald Trump, in a surprising interview with Nigel Farage on GB News, suggested Prince Harry might face deportation if Trump were to return to office.
Trump insinuated that “appropriate action will be taken if he lied,” referring to Prince Harry’s visa application.
Trump’s comments have refueled public curiosity about the immigration status of Prince Harry, especially considering his admissions of past substance misuse in his book “Spare.”
Known for his outspoken criticism of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s decision to separate from their royal responsibilities and relocate to the U.S., Trump frequently emphasizes their perceived disrespect towards Queen Elizabeth II. He has publically suggested that irregularities in Harry’s visa application, specifically relating to his past drug use, could jeopardize his immigration status.
The Heritage Foundation, a right-leaning think tank, has played a pivotal role in stirring the debate by querying the transparency of Harry’s immigration proceedings. They filed a Freedom of Information Act request last year and sued the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to obtain Harry’s immigration records, with his confessed drug use being a potential immigration status determinant. However, the Biden administration has chosen privacy over public disclosure, withholding the documents.
Legal experts and immigration specialists have indicated that Trump’s remarks might be driven more by political agendas than solid legal criteria. They underscore that previous drug use does not necessarily disqualify someone from obtaining a U.S. visa. Instead, each case is evaluated uniquely, considering honesty and context as crucial factors.
Understanding the legal framework is crucial in responding to Trump’s deportation hints. U.S. visa applications include inquiries about illegal drug use, where dishonesty can lead to severe consequences. However, the U.S. immigration system does allow for certain waivers and considerations, predominantly if the applicant can prove rehabilitation or if the drug use was negligible.
Prince Harry has not shown any interest in becoming a U.S. citizen at present. His legal team argues that the disclosures in his book do not constitute official admissions of drug use in a legal sense, thus nullifying their effect on his visa status.
A federal judge ordered the Department of Homeland Security to present Harry’s visa documents for judicial scrutiny. The intention was to evaluate whether the documents should be disclosed publicly. The department’s attorneys requested additional time to find the documents on Sunday, March 17.
Prince Harry’s visa application is currently under review by a federal judge. The judge is investigating concerns about whether the royal was granted preferential treatment in being allowed to reside in the United States, given his past admissions of drug use.
According to legal documents examined by Newsweek in April, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) stated it had complied with the mandate by providing sworn statements along with supporting documents for one-sided evaluation through a secure, encrypted connection.