Legal battle intensifies amid Trump’s tough stance on immigration
Prince Harry’s residency in the U.S. faces growing uncertainty as a legal battle over his visa status takes centre stage in American courts.
A lawsuit filed by the Heritage Foundation has demanded that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) disclose details of Harry’s visa, aiming to determine whether he received any special exemptions. The case, currently before the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, will see a pivotal hearing on February 5, where Judge Carl J. Nichols will decide whether Harry’s immigration records should be made public.
The controversy has escalated further after former U.S. President Donald Trump, now seeking re-election, vowed to take a firm stance on Harry’s status. In a previous interview, Trump stated: “I will not help Harry. He betrayed Queen Elizabeth, and that is unforgivable. If this matter comes under my authority, he will have to face the consequences himself.”
At the heart of the dispute is Harry’s admission in his memoir Spare and various interviews regarding past drug use. U.S. immigration law requires visa applicants to disclose any history of drug use, and failure to do so truthfully can lead to visa revocation and deportation.
Renowned Dallas-based immigration attorney Naim Sakhia weighed in on the matter, stating: “U.S. immigration laws apply equally to everyone, regardless of their royal status. If Prince Harry was granted a visa under an illegal exemption, it would be a serious violation of American law.”
The DHS has resisted calls to release Harry’s records, citing privacy concerns, while the Heritage Foundation insists that the public has a right to know whether he received preferential treatment. Adding to the pressure, former UK Home Secretary Suella Braverman has urged Trump to ensure transparency, stating: “The American people have the right to know what happened here.”
If the court rules in favour of the Heritage Foundation, Harry could face significant legal challenges that may impact his future in the U.S., his work with the Invictus Games Foundation, and his life with Meghan Markle and their children, Archie and Lilibet. The outcome of the February 5 hearing could prove decisive in shaping his future in America.
