British Prince Harry
Tuesday, a US court will hear a petition brought by a conservative think tank that wants to know more about why British Prince Harry was given a visa despite admitting to using illegal drugs in his biography.
The hearing will address a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) complaint brought by the Washington-based Heritage Foundation seeking the release of the British royal’s immigration records.
Prince Harry, 38, will not attend the hearing because he was in London’s High Court on Tuesday protesting about the incredibly invasive media coverage he has received from the British press.
Mirror Group Newspapers, publisher of The Mirror, Sunday Mirror, and the Sunday People tabloids, is accused of unlawful information gathering, including phone hacking, by the younger son of Britain’s King Charles III.
The Heritage Foundation stated in its complaint, which is currently being considered in US District Court, that “Harry has publicly admitted to the essential elements of a number of drug offenses in both the United States and abroad”.
The complaint further reads, “United States law generally renders such a person inadmissible for entry to the United States”.
In his book ‘Spare’, Harry confesses to dabbling with drugs such as marijuana, cocaine, and psychedelics.
The Heritage Foundation has requested that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) reveal Harry’s immigration file, citing there is widespread public and press interest in the case.
The government responded that while there may be some public interest in the records sought, it is not now convinced there is a compelling need to divulge the records.
The Heritage Foundation noted in its complaint that other celebrities like the late football star Maradona and the late singer Amy Winehouse had been denied entry into the United States due to prior drug use.
Heritage Foundation’s prior request for the release of Harry’s immigration information was denied by the US authorities because they did not have his authorization.
Visa applicants to the United States are asked about their past drug usage and may be denied entrance, however, there are exceptions and waivers available.
Harry and his American citizen wife, Meghan Markle, relocated to the United States in January 2020 after stepping down from their royal duties.
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