The Heritage Foundation intensifies its campaign to uncover Prince Harry’s U.S. visa records, raising questions about potential preferential treatment and immigration law compliance.
If they get what they want, the government may be forced to deport the former British royal.
At a Glance
- Heritage Foundation demands release of Prince Harry’s immigration records
- Concerns raised over potential drug use admissions on visa application
- Former President Trump urged to intervene and release the records
- Case highlights issues of transparency and equal treatment in immigration law
Heritage Foundation’s Push for Transparency
The Heritage Foundation is ramping up efforts to make Prince Harry’s U.S. immigration records public, questioning whether the British royal may have received special treatment in his visa application process.
Yikes.
The conservative think tank is particularly interested in whether Harry disclosed his past drug use, which he openly admitted to in his memoir “Spare,” on his visa application.
Nile Gardiner, Director of the Margaret Thatcher Center for Freedom at the Heritage Foundation, is spearheading this initiative. “It’s important because this is an issue of the rule of law, transparency and accountability. No one should be above the law,” Gardiner said.
The Heritage Foundation’s quest for transparency has already faced legal hurdles. A federal judge previously ruled against disclosing Prince Harry’s immigration application papers, citing privacy concerns. Undeterred, the Foundation is now turning to political channels, urging former President Donald Trump to use his influence to release the records.
“I’ll be urging the President to release Prince Harry’s immigration records and the President does have that legal authority to do that,” Nile Gardiner said.
The case has sparked a broader debate about the consistency of U.S. immigration law enforcement, especially concerning high-profile individuals. Gardiner and his colleagues argue that if Prince Harry received preferential treatment, it could indicate a pattern of favoritism by the Department of Homeland Security towards celebrities or politically aligned individuals.
Implications for Prince Harry
The potential consequences for Prince Harry are significant if it’s found that he failed to disclose his drug use on his visa application. U.S. immigration law requires applicants to disclose any violations related to controlled substances, which could have serious implications for Harry’s visa status.
“If they know something about the drugs, and if he lied, they’ll have to take appropriate action,” President Donald Trump recently said, indicating he would not protect Prince Harry from potential deportation if such allegations were proven true.
However, it’s important to note that there is currently no evidence suggesting Prince Harry provided false information. “A source close to Harry has said he was “truthful” on his application, and there is no evidence he provided false information,” Gardiner acknowledged.
This case has broader implications for U.S. immigration policy and enforcement, too. The Heritage Foundation argues that the release of Prince Harry’s records is not about targeting an individual, but about ensuring equal treatment under U.S. immigration laws for all applicants, regardless of their status or connections.
“Agree or disagree, but America takes a firm stance against illegal drug use. Anyone applying to live and work in the U.S. has to answer the question: ‘Have you ever violated, or engaged in a conspiracy to violate, any law relating to controlled substances?'” Gardiner explained, highlighting the standard procedure for all visa applicants.