Questions surrounding Prince Harry's U.S. visa application and his past drug use have resurfaced as he and his wife, Meghan Markle, plan to spend more time in Europe.
Nile Gardiner, director of the Margaret Thatcher Center for Freedom at The Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank, stated that significant questions remain about the Duke of Sussex's U.S. visa, which allows him to reside in the country. Gardiner's organization has filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the State Department to obtain Harry's immigration records.
According to U.S. immigration law, individuals applying to live and work in America must truthfully answer whether they have "ever violated, or engaged in a conspiracy to violate, any law relating to controlled substances." In his memoir, "Spare," Prince Harry detailed his past use of various illegal substances, including cocaine, cannabis, and ketamine, and acknowledged that this pattern of drug use continued until at least 2020.
Gardiner argues that such admissions would typically bar an individual from entering the United States. He expressed surprise that Prince Harry would publish such details while seeking to live in the U.S. as a foreign national. The Heritage Foundation's lawsuit is part of a Freedom of Information Act request that has led the State Department to review nearly 2,500 pages of documents related to Harry's visa application.
"If any wrongdoing by Harry is revealed in relation to his visa application, that would under normal circumstances prevent him from returning to America for the rest of his life," Gardiner stated. He added that if Harry were found to have committed an immigration offense on U.S. soil, he could face federal prison and deportation.
Gardiner suggested that the couple's decision to spend more time in Europe might be influenced by "push" factors, such as issues with Harry's visa, in addition to their stated desire to be closer to family. He urged Harry to support the release of his immigration documents, asserting that transparency is essential.
Former President Donald Trump, when asked previously about deporting Prince Harry over his drug use, indicated he would not take such action, stating, "I don't want to do that. I'll leave him alone. He's got enough problems with his wife."
Gardiner, a former aide to Margaret Thatcher, maintained that the public has a right to know if a member of the British royal family provided false information on U.S. immigration documents or received special treatment. He believes the truth about Prince Harry's visa application will eventually be revealed.