The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is preparing to release portions of Prince Harry's immigration records, with certain redactions, as part of an ongoing legal battle concerning his 2020 relocation to the United States. Federal Judge Carl Nichols directed the agency to submit a redacted version of the file for judicial review, a step towards potential public disclosure.
The central question revolves around whether Prince Harry misrepresented information on his immigration documents or received special treatment. This issue gained prominence after the Duke of Sussex admitted to past drug use in his 2023 memoir, "Spare."
The lawsuit, initiated by the conservative think tank The Heritage Foundation, seeks to uncover whether Prince Harry disclosed his prior drug use on his immigration application. In its court filing, DHS indicated it would release specific sections of the records (items 1-3) with redactions, while withholding "item 4." The precise nature of the information to be released remains unclear. However, Judge Nichols has emphasized a phased approach to avoid breaching U.S. privacy laws.
The judge has given DHS until March 6 to provide the redacted documents for review. Nile Gardiner, director of the Heritage Foundation’s Margaret Thatcher Center for Freedom, stresses the importance of transparency and accountability in immigration matters, asserting that no one should be exempt from legal scrutiny. He connects this case to the broader context of stricter border control enforcement.
DHS has not yet responded to requests for comment.
