The US government is facing criticism for its handling of Prince Harry’s immigration records. A conservative think tank, the Heritage Foundation, had petitioned for the expedited release of these records under the Freedom of Information Act but was rejected by the government.
The Heritage Foundation had taken the US government to court, seeking the release of Prince Harry’s visa records in light of his admission of illegal drug use. A federal judge had set a deadline of June 13 for the government to make a decision on releasing the records.
In a letter to the Heritage Foundation, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) explained that it was rejecting the request due to privacy concerns. A senior DHS official stated that there was not enough public interest in disclosure to outweigh the subject’s privacy rights.
Nile Gardiner, director of the Heritage Foundation’s Margaret Thatcher Center for Freedom, expressed disappointment with the government’s response and pledged to continue the fight for transparency. The case will now proceed in federal court in Washington.
HERITAGE FOUNDATION STATEMENT IN RESPONSE TO THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY'S REFUSAL TO RELEASE PRINCE HARRY'S IMMIGRATION RECORDS
This week The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) refused to confirm or deny whether or not they had records relating to the Duke of Sussex… pic.twitter.com/4LBPOvMOnG
— Nile Gardiner (@NileGardiner) June 14, 2023
The Heritage Foundation initiated the legal action after Prince Harry revealed his past drug use in his memoir, Spare. The think tank argues that it is in the public interest to understand the reasons behind the Duke’s admission to the US in 2020 and why he has been allowed to remain.
During court proceedings, the Heritage Foundation’s lawyers questioned the adequacy of the Duke’s admission to the US considering his public confession to various drug offenses both domestically and internationally. According to federal law, such admissions would typically render a person inadmissible to the United States.
The Heritage Foundation filed the legal complaint under the Freedom of Information Act, emphasizing the immense public interest in obtaining information related to the Duke’s visa application, as it pertains to the fair application and enforcement of the US immigration system.
Sources close to the Duke have indicated that he was truthful about his drug use on his visa application, suggesting that he disclosed this information.
The Heritage Foundation’s original request for the release of information was denied by US Customs and Border Protection, citing the Duke’s lack of consent for the disclosure of his information to the plaintiffs, as stated in court documents.