The Heritage Foundation has called for the publication of Prince Harry’s immigration documents, arguing that he should have been denied entry to the United States due to his drug use.
The organization’s request comes amidst a legal battle over the disclosure of records related to the Duke of Sussex’s admission of using cannabis, cocaine, and magic mushrooms, which allegedly violated US visa regulations.
Judge Carl Nichols, who is presiding over the case, has ordered the US authorities to provide the visa application to Prince Harry, despite ongoing debates about its confidentiality.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) was criticized by Judge Nichols for the lack of detailed arguments in their defense against disclosing the documents.
The Daily Mail reported that Prince Harry was required to reveal his immigration papers and explain the potential harm that could arise from their public disclosure.
This directive follows the DHS’s efforts to prevent the publication of records revealing the Duke’s drug use, as disclosed in his autobiography.
Last year, the conservative think tank, the Heritage Foundation, initiated a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to obtain Prince Harry’s visa papers.
Judge Nichols has ruled that disputed declarations and records may be reviewed privately to assess the validity of the exemption claims made by the DHS.
The judge set a deadline of March 21 for the DHS to clarify the records they are withholding and the specific harm that could result from their public release.
He emphasized the need for a private review to determine whether the contested records fall within the claimed exemptions under the FOIA.
In his autobiography, “Spare,” Prince Harry confessed to experimenting with hallucinogenic substances, leading to altered perceptions of reality.
His account included instances where he hallucinated after consuming magic mushrooms, such as seeing inanimate objects come to life.
The Heritage Foundation has persistently challenged the DHS to disclose Prince Harry’s visa documents, suggesting that he may have misrepresented his drug use on his application or received special treatment.
A DHS lawyer raised doubts about the accuracy of Prince Harry’s admissions, implying that they might have been exaggerated for publicity.
John Bardo, representing the DHS, cautioned against taking Prince Harry’s book as definitive proof of illegal drug use, highlighting the potential for literary embellishment.
Bardo emphasized that written accounts, such as autobiographies, do not necessarily reflect factual accuracy and should be scrutinized accordingly.
In conclusion, the disclosure of Prince Harry’s drug use history has sparked legal and ethical debates surrounding his eligibility for entry into the US.
The ongoing legal proceedings underscore the complexities of balancing transparency with privacy rights, particularly concerning high-profile individuals like Prince Harry.
The outcome of this case will likely have implications for future visa applications and the handling of confidential information in the public domain.