Prince Harry is facing a pivotal moment regarding his residency in the United States, as his visa records are set to be scrutinized in court.
A federal judge has scheduled a hearing for February 5 in Washington, D.C., marking the first legal proceeding under President Donald Trump’s administration that directly concerns the Duke of Sussex.
Prince Harry visa case
As we reported here on RoyalFamily.News, the case stems from a lawsuit filed by the conservative think tank Heritage Foundation, which has been pushing for the release of Harry’s immigration records.
Their goal is to determine whether he disclosed his history of drug use when applying for a U.S. visa.
This controversy erupted after the publication of Harry’s memoir Spare in 2023, where he openly admitted to experimenting with cocaine, cannabis, and psychedelic mushrooms in his younger years.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has pushed back against the foundation’s claims, asserting that releasing Harry’s visa documents would violate his privacy rights.
In a ruling last September, Judge Carl J. Nichols sided with this argument, stating that the public does not have a compelling interest in accessing the duke’s immigration records.
However, the Heritage Foundation remains steadfast, arguing that if Harry failed to disclose his drug use or received special treatment, the public has a right to know.
Nile Gardiner, director of the Heritage Foundation’s Margaret Thatcher Center for Freedom, has publicly called on President Trump to intervene.
He emphasized that transparency and accountability should apply to everyone equally.
President Trump, who has made strict immigration enforcement a key part of his administration, has hinted that action could be taken against Harry.
Before his election win, he suggested that he would not protect the prince if legal violations were found.
“He betrayed the Queen. That’s unforgivable. He would be on his own if it was down to me,” Trump remarked in early 2024.
As the court date approaches, all eyes will be on Washington, D.C., to see whether Prince Harry’s visa status will remain intact or if his residency in the U.S. could be at risk.