Despite the ongoing legal proceedings regarding Prince Harry’s immigration status in the U.S., President Donald Trump has declared he will not deport the Duke of Sussex. In an interview with The New York Post, Trump shrugged off the suggestion of expulsion, commenting, “I’ll leave him alone. He’s got enough problems with his wife. She’s terrible.”
The conservative think tank The Heritage Foundation has been campaigning for the disclosure of Harry’s U.S. visa records. The group argues that he may have hidden previous drug use, which could have made him ineligible for entry into the U.S. They refer to Harry’s 2023 memoir, “Spare,” in which he revealed his past use of cocaine, cannabis, and psychedelics.
In a lawsuit brought against the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), The Heritage Foundation claims that Prince Harry either misrepresented his drug history on his application or was given preferential treatment by the Biden administration. Nile Gardiner of the Heritage Foundation told The Daily Telegraph, “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.”
At a recent court hearing in Washington, D.C., U.S. District Court Judge Carl J. Nichols suggested that Harry’s immigration records might be made public “to the maximum extent possible,” while maintaining that privacy laws would be respected.
During his 2024 campaign, Trump informed Nigel Farage that the U.S. government would need to take “appropriate action” if it were confirmed that Harry had lied on his application. He stopped short of advocating for deportation and 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.”
These recent remarks from Trump come just before the start of the Invictus Games in Canada, an event established by Prince Harry for injured veterans. British media have speculated that Harry has been hesitant to leave the U.S. due to potential reentry issues, although this has not been confirmed by the prince himself.
Trump also took the chance to commend Prince William, whom he met privately in Paris, France, in December during the reopening of Notre Dame Cathedral. “I think William is a great young man,” he told The New York Post.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have expressed their disapproval of Trump in the past. Meghan Markle publicly called him “misogynistic” and “divisive” before the 2016 election, leading Trump to label her “nasty” in 2019. He has also repeatedly criticized Harry, telling Piers Morgan in a 2022 interview that the prince was “whipped like no person he had ever seen.”
While Trump’s statements alleviate the immediate concern of deportation, the lawsuit by the Heritage Foundation is ongoing. A verdict is anticipated on the extent of Harry’s immigration records’ disclosure. If disclosed, these documents could shed light on whether the prince received special perks or provided inaccurate information on his visa application.
Legal specialists note that a criminal conviction is typically required for deportation due to past drug use, something Prince Harry does not have. Nonetheless, the case continues to be a contentious issue for conservatives advocating for rigorous immigration enforcement.
Neither Harry nor Meghan publicly campaigned against Trump in the 2024 election, possibly easing the political pressure on Trump to target the prince. Mike Howell from the Heritage Foundation had previously suggested that Trump’s return to office in 2025 could heighten the chances of deportation. However, Trump’s current position indicates otherwise, suggesting that Harry’s immigration status might not be a primary concern in his overall push for tighter border controls.
With Judge Nichols likely to allow partial disclosure of Harry’s visa records, the upcoming weeks may bring new developments. While the records could vindicate him, they might also reveal information that prompts further investigation into his application process. The specific kind of visa held by Harry is yet to be known, adding to the speculation about whether he and Meghan planned their move long before their official royal exit in 2020.