Prince Harry’s visa battle: Judge considers unsealing documents

A major legal battle is heating up as a DC judge signals a potential shift in Prince Harry‘s U.S. visa case. Judge Carl Nichols recently hinted he may unseal some crucial documents related to Harry’s visa application. The revelation comes after a two-year legal tug-of-war over whether the public should have access to these sealed records.

Heritage Foundation’s lawsuit for transparency

The case centers on the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank that filed a lawsuit after its request to see Harry’s immigration documents was rejected. The group claims that Harry lied on his visa application, especially regarding his past drug use. Harry revealed in his memoir Spare that he had experimented with cocaine, marijuana, and psychedelic mushrooms. Heritage argues that such admissions could have made him ineligible for a visa.

Judge Nichols pushes for disclosure

Judge Nichols is keen on “maximum disclosure” of the documents but is wary of violating privacy. “I’m not foreclosing the possibility of releasing some documents,” he said during a recent hearing. However, he also urged the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to suggest redactions before any documents are unsealed. Government attorney John Bardo warned that after redactions, the documents might be “a shell,” offering no real information.

Political pressure and Trump’s involvement

The tension has only grown as the case has gained political momentum. Nile Gardiner, from the Heritage Foundation, declared outside court, “We’re pushing for full transparency and urging President Trump to act.” Trump has previously suggested that if Harry lied on his visa application, there should be consequences. He even implied that Harry might not have received special treatment from the Biden administration.

The key visa issue: Past drug use

This legal dispute raises questions about Harry’s U.S. entry. Visa applications specifically ask about past drug use, and such admissions can cause significant delays or even result in rejection. Heritage believes Harry should have been denied entry based on his past admissions, and they’re not backing down. They argue that revealing the documents will hold the U.S. government accountable and challenge its integrity.

The legal back-and-forth took a dramatic turn when Trump re-entered the White House. Trump has repeatedly criticized Harry and his wife Meghan Markle. In an interview last year, he mocked the couple, particularly Harry, saying he “wouldn’t protect him” if it were up to him. “He betrayed the Queen,” Trump said, fueling the ongoing feud. Trump also dismissed the idea of giving Harry any special treatment, stating, “If he lied about drugs, appropriate action should be taken.”

Trump’s Criticism of Harry and Meghan

The legal back-and-forth took a dramatic turn when Trump re-entered the White House. Trump has repeatedly criticized Harry and his wife Meghan Markle. In an interview last year, he mocked the couple, particularly Harry, saying he “wouldn’t protect him” if it were up to him. “He betrayed the Queen,” Trump said, fueling the ongoing feud. Trump also dismissed the idea of giving Harry any special treatment, stating, “If he lied about drugs, appropriate action should be taken.”

DHS defends privacy of immigration records

In contrast, DHS has maintained that Harry’s immigration records are private. The department argues that, like health or financial records, these documents should remain confidential to protect personal information. The department also emphasized that no public records show Harry was ever convicted of a drug-related crime, making the think tank’s claims purely speculative.

The fight for full transparency

Heritage isn’t backing down. They argue that the public has a right to know if Harry received special treatment, suggesting the U.S. government may have turned a blind eye to the prince’s admissions of past drug use. As the legal fight continues, all eyes are on Judge Nichols, who has yet to decide how much of the record will be unsealed. With the stakes high, this case is far from over.