Donald Trump has been urged to release Prince Harry’s immigration records amid claims the Duke of Sussex may have lied about past drug use when entering the United States.
The Heritage Foundation, a Washington-based conservative think tank, is seeking access to the Duke’s visa documents to examine whether he disclosed his historic narcotic use.
The push comes after Prince Harry’s 2023 memoir Spare revealed his use of cocaine, marijuana and psychedelic mushrooms in his youth.
The think tank has questioned why Harry was allowed into the US with his wife Meghan in 2020, given that visa applicants must legally declare any previous drug use.
Donald Trump has been urged to release Prince Harry’s immigration records amid claims the Duke of Sussex may have lied about past drug use when entering the United States.
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The Heritage Foundation initially brought a lawsuit against the Department for Homeland Security after their Freedom of Information request was rejected.
The group claimed Harry’s immigration documents were of “immense public interest” but lost the case in September when judge Carl Nichols ruled they should remain private.
A further motion was filed in October by Heritage lawyer Samuel Dewey, arguing that publishing Harry’s immigration file would help the public understand how the department “conducts itself and how its officials exercise discretion”.
With Harry no longer having support from the Biden administration, the Foundation is now hoping the newly-elected president will override the court’s decision.
With Harry no longer having support from the Biden administration, the Foundation is now hoping the newly-elected president will override the court’s decision.
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Nile Gardiner, director of Heritage’s Margaret Thatcher Center for Freedom, told the New York Post: “I’ll be urging the president to release Prince Harry’s immigration records and the president does have that legal authority to do that.”
“Donald Trump is ushering in a new era of strict border control enforcement, and you know, Prince Harry should be held fully to account as he has admitted to extensive illegal drug use,” he added.
Gardiner expressed confidence in potential action, stating: “My firm expectation is that action will be taken.”
The Sussexes’ relationship with Trump has been strained, with the former president having publicly criticised both Harry and Meghan Markle on multiple occasions.
The Duke of Sussex received an eight-figure sum and an apology from News Group Newspapers in his case against The Sun publisher.
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The immigration records dispute comes as Prince Harry may face potential tax obligations to the Trump administration following his recent legal settlement.
The Duke of Sussex received an eight-figure sum and an apology from News Group Newspapers in his case against The Sun publisher.
A source revealed that while the UK does not tax legal damages, Harry will need to pay US tax on the remaining money after legal fees.
“As a US resident, Harry has to pay tax on his worldwide income unless it’s been taxed in Britain,” the source said.
“And here’s the sting in the tail: legal damages are not taxed in the UK,” they added.
