During an interview with Nigel Farage of GB News on Tuesday, March 19, former president Donald Trump suggested that Prince Harry could be at risk of deportation from the US if Trump were to return to office.
“Appropriate action will be required if he lied,” Trump stated, referencing Prince Harry’s visa application.
The comments by Trump have spurred a heated debate and renewed focus on Prince Harry’s immigration status, particularly following Harry’s disclosure of previous drug use in his memoir “Spare.”
Trump has been public about his criticism of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s decision to step down from royal duties and move to the U.S., often spotlighting what he sees as a lack of respect for Queen Elizabeth II. He has suggested that discrepancies in Harry’s visa application, specifically related to his past drug use, could undermine his immigration status.
The Heritage Foundation, a conservative research organization, has actively questioned the transparency of Harry’s immigration process. Last year, it filed a Freedom of Information Act request and subsequently sued the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for access to Harry’s immigration records. They argued that Harry’s self-admitted drug use could affect his immigration status. However, the Biden administration has elected to withhold these documents, citing privacy concerns.
Legal and immigration experts have chimed in, suggesting that Trump’s remarks are politically motivated rather than based on clear legal principles. They underscore that past drug use does not automatically render an individual ineligible for a U.S. visa. Visa applications are evaluated individually, with honesty and context being key factors.
Responding to Trump’s deportation implications requires an understanding of the legal framework. U.S. visa applications do ask about illegal drug use, and providing false information can have serious repercussions. However, the U.S. immigration system does allow for certain waivers and considerations, especially if the applicant has shown signs of rehabilitation or if the drug use was minimal.
Prince Harry has expressed no interest in U.S. citizenship at present. His legal team insists that his disclosures in his book do not amount to legal admissions of drug use, and therefore should not impact his visa status.
Recently, a federal judge ruled that the Department of Homeland Security must submit Harry’s visa paperwork for judicial review. The goal is to determine if these documents should be made public. On Sunday, March 17, the department’s lawyers requested an extension to produce the documents.
