An American court is set to deliberate this week on the matter of Prince Harry’s attempts to shield his immigration records.
The Duke of Sussex faces potential jeopardy if a ruling goes against him during the upcoming proceedings in Washington DC on Friday.
A prominent American think tank has taken legal action against the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in pursuit of Harry’s immigration paperwork.
Their objective is to ascertain whether the Duke disclosed any history of drug use upon his entry into the United States back in 2020.
All foreign nationals seeking residency and employment in the US are required to truthfully respond to the question of past drug abuse or addiction.
In his autobiography, Prince Harry openly acknowledged using various narcotics like marijuana, cocaine, and magic mushrooms.
The demand for transparency regarding whether Harry received preferential treatment from the DHS has been emphasized by Niall Gardner, the director of the Margaret Thatcher Center for Freedom at the Heritage Foundation.
Gardner asserted that Harry can no longer rely on his connections within the liberal elite circles of the Biden administration to shield him from scrutiny.
The Duke himself hinted at the prospect of pursuing American citizenship during an appearance on ABC’s Good Morning America last Friday.
Despite acknowledging the idea of American citizenship crossing his mind, Harry downplayed its significance, stating that it is not a top priority for him at present.
The potential implications for Prince Harry’s immigration status were underscored by an immigration attorney based in Los Angeles.
The attorney pointed out that Harry’s visa could face reassessment and possible revocation.
Failure to disclose a history of drug use upon entering the US could have dire consequences if Harry intends to pursue citizenship.
Legal expert Samuel Dewey, associated with the Heritage Foundation, highlighted the necessity of a waiver should Harry have answered affirmatively to the drug-related query upon his arrival.
The issue of who authorized the waiver granting process remains a point of contention.
The Department of Homeland Security is expected to argue for the protection of Harry’s privacy, contending that his immigration information should not be subject to public disclosure.
The DHS has maintained that a person’s visa or immigration status constitutes confidential personal data exempt from public dissemination, as stated by a DHS representative in a court filing.