US releases redacted documents in Prince Harry's visa case

Court documents related to Prince Harry's 2020 US visa application have been made public. These documents stem from the Duke of Sussex's case, following a ruling in favor of the conservative think tank, The Heritage Foundation, by a federal judge. The foundation requested the release of these documents under the Freedom of Information Act.

The Heritage Foundation alleges that Prince Harry may have concealed past illegal drug use – referenced in his 2023 autobiography, "Spare" – which should have disqualified him from obtaining a visa. Over 80 pages of court filings and transcripts have been released, much of which has been heavily redacted. However, Prince Harry's actual immigration file remains private.

Immigration officials stated that The Heritage Foundation has not substantiated that the public interest outweighs Prince Harry's right to privacy. US Citizenship and Immigration Services official Jarod Pantzke stated, "Plaintiff claims that the records should be disclosed because the public’s trust in the government would be undermined or in order to determine whether the Duke received preferential treatment." Mr. Pantzke also said, "Plaintiff’s speculation does not point to any evidence of government misconduct."

Mr. Pantzke also stated that the Duke's application followed all "applicable regulations and procedures." Harry's security concerns were also considered in the decision-making process. Mr. Pantzke said that releasing the information could subject him to "reasonably foreseeable harassment and unwanted attention from the media and others."

Nile Gardiner of The Heritage Foundation, in an interview with GB News, stated that "the fight to release Harry's immigration application to the American people continues." In his 2023 memoir, "Spare," Harry admitted to using drugs such as cocaine, cannabis, and magic mushrooms during his adolescence and adulthood. Applications for US visas ask applicants whether they currently or have previously used drugs. The US Citizenship and Immigration Services states that any foreigner "determined to be a drug abuser or addict" will be classified as "inadmissible." Admitting to drug use can lead to the denial of non-immigrant and immigrant visa applications, but immigration officials have the authority to make a final decision based on various factors.