In a recent episode of GB News’ The Royal Record podcast, American immigration lawyer Melissa Chavin raised an intriguing scenario regarding the citizenship status of Princess Lilibet, daughter of the Duke and Duchess.
Chavin, from the Chavin Immigration Law Office, delved into the complexities surrounding Lilibet’s U.S. citizenship eligibility in light of her parents’ immigration status.
The discussion centered around the Duke’s possession of an A-1 head-of-state visa, acquired through his connection to the Duchess, who is a U.S. citizen.
Chavin highlighted the unique circumstances that would arise if the Duchess did not hold U.S. citizenship but instead possessed a spousal visa, making Lilibet’s citizenship status a departure from the norm of automatic citizenship for individuals born in the U.S.
Describing the situation as both intricate and thought-provoking, Chavin emphasized the atypical nature of Lilibet’s potential citizenship status, given her birth on U.S. soil.
The lawyer’s analysis shed light on the complexities faced by the royal family in navigating immigration laws and regulations.
Since transitioning to a non-royal lifestyle and relocating to the United States, the Duke and Duchess have strived to shield their children, including Lilibet and her brother Archie, from the public eye.
However, recent legal scrutiny has focused on the Duke’s U.S. visa history following revelations in his memoir regarding past drug use in both the U.K. and the U.S.
The Heritage Foundation has initiated legal action against the Department of Homeland Security in pursuit of the Duke’s visa records, aiming to ascertain whether his admission of drug use prior to obtaining the visa could impact his immigration status.
U.S. laws stipulate that individuals who acknowledge drug use may face visa denial, though this does not automatically result in deportation.
The ongoing legal battle underscores the complexities of immigration regulations and the potential implications for individuals, such as the Duke, whose past actions may come under scrutiny during visa application processes.