The Joe Biden administration is facing allegations of obstructing a legal attempt to reveal information regarding Prince Harry’s US visa application through freedom of information laws.
A bid to expedite the processing of this application based on significant public interest has been rejected, sparking outrage from a Washington-based think tank involved in the case.
The conservative Heritage Foundation has taken action by petitioning the court to overturn the decision made by the Department of Homeland Security and two affiliated agencies, with a hearing scheduled for next month.
In March, the Heritage Foundation called for the immediate disclosure of Prince Harry’s visa records after he confessed to drug use in his memoir.
The foundation argued that the Duke’s admission of drug consumption warranted transparency in his visa application process, raising concerns about potential preferential treatment.
Despite claims from sources close to Prince Harry affirming the honesty of his drug-related disclosures, questions linger about whether he received special considerations or waivers from border officials.
According to US freedom of information laws, applications can be expedited when there is considerable public and media interest, particularly if it pertains to governmental integrity and public confidence.
The Heritage Foundation contended that the Prince Harry case met these criteria, but the request for fast-tracking was denied on the basis that British media outlets, including The Telegraph, lacked sufficient mainstream recognition in the US.
Niall Gardner, director of the Margaret Thatcher Centre for Freedom at the Heritage Foundation, criticized the Biden administration for stalling the release of documents and discrediting British press outlets.
In response to the Heritage Foundation’s requests for Prince Harry’s application records, the Department of Homeland Security dismissed the urgency, labeling British publications as niche and downplaying the need for immediate action.
The foundation plans to seek a hearing in the US District Court for the District of Columbia to challenge the decisions of the three agencies involved.
Should their efforts fail, the process of obtaining the Duke’s visa records could be prolonged, potentially lasting months or longer.
Samuel Dewey, the attorney representing the Heritage Foundation, highlighted the challenges of obtaining significant information without resorting to legal action, emphasizing the lack of transparency within the current administration.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle relocated to California in 2020, with Prince Harry likely facing visa renewal or green card application this year, subjecting him to further scrutiny.
The unfolding developments surrounding Prince Harry’s visa status are anticipated to draw continued attention and analysis.
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Goodbye for now.