Expert calls Prince Harry's US visa ruling 'suspicious,' raising transparency concerns

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An American think tank, The Heritage Foundation, has raised concerns about the recent ruling that keeps Prince Harry's U.S. visa application details private, describing the decision as "suspicious." The conservative group had taken legal action against the U.S. government, aiming to make the Duke of Sussex's immigration documents public. However, on Monday, U.S. Judge Carl Nichols ruled that "the public does not have a strong interest in the disclosure of the duke’s immigration records."

Mike Howell, executive director of The Heritage Foundation’s Oversight Project, expressed the think tank’s dissatisfaction with the ruling, stating, "The Prince Harry scandal just got a lot more suspicious." Howell indicated that while the case is still ongoing and may proceed to an appeal, the redactions in the court documents raise significant questions. He suggested that the redacted information could imply something serious, adding that former President Donald Trump had speculated about Prince Harry being deported next year. "Americans deserve an immigration system with secure borders and fairly applied rules, even for high-profile immigrants like Harry," Howell added.

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Howell further speculated that Prince Harry may have received special treatment in his immigration process, something the public should know about. He hinted that the truth behind the redactions might eventually come to light, possibly through a future Netflix special featuring Harry and Meghan Markle.

The controversy stems in part from Harry's memoir *Spare*, in which he admitted to past drug use. In the book, he wrote that while cocaine "didn’t do anything" for him, marijuana "really did help." The think tank had previously expressed concern over this confession, arguing that drug use typically renders a person inadmissible for entry into the U.S.

While Harry would have been required to disclose any history of drug use when applying for his residency permit, immigration lawyer Melissa Chavin from Chapman Immigration Law Office suggested that Harry likely holds an A1 visa. This type of visa, typically granted to ambassadors, heads of state, and members of royal families, is both rare and not usually subject to the same scrutiny as other visas. Chavin noted that, because of this, Harry’s visa status may be shielded from public view.

Despite the think tank's concerns, Judge Nichols reaffirmed that Prince Harry has a legitimate privacy interest in his immigration status, just like any foreign national. The Heritage Foundation remains critical, insisting that transparency in cases involving high-profile figures is essential for trust in the immigration system. The legal battle is expected to continue as the group explores further legal avenues to challenge the ruling.