Documents Regarding Prince Harry’s US Visa Application Unveiled with Significant Redactions | US News
Documents related to Prince Harry’s US visa application have been made public, though they are significantly redacted.
The available records indicate that the judge ruled in September that it was not in the public’s interest to reveal details concerning the Duke of Sussex’s immigration situation.
He maintained that Harry could face “harm in the form of harassment” as well as “unwanted contact” from the press.
Due to extensive blackouts in the documents, numerous questions remain unanswered, especially regarding whether the prince acknowledged having used drugs on his forms.
One attorney advocating for the release of this information informed Sky News that they will continue to pursue the case and anticipate further proceedings in the “near future”.
Samuel Dewey, a lawyer for the conservative think tank The Heritage Foundation, stated: “It’s always been a mystery, and we’ve always held the view that it might take time to get answers… we will utilize this new data to keep progressing.”
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From 2023: Why is Prince Harry’s US visa under scrutiny?
The six litigation files that were previously confidential have been released following a challenge from The Heritage Foundation.
The think tank submitted freedom of information requests to determine if the Duke of Sussex received any special treatment with his visa application.
This comes on the heels of admissions in Harry’s memoir Spare that he had used drugs such as cannabis, cocaine, and psychedelics.
The Heritage Foundation aimed to confirm whether this was revealed in his visa application and whether the US government adhered to immigration laws.
One document listed as Exhibit 1 also indicates that the records contain “very specific private and personal” information, the release of which would infringe on personal privacy.
One mention of the singer Sting appears in the documents, but due to numerous redactions, little additional information is gained. A reference to a “waiver” is made, but no more details are provided.
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It’s crucial to note that this issue isn’t about disclosing Prince Harry’s visa application forms, as those are private. However, it does focus on one particular question he had to answer: whether he has used drugs.
We remain no closer to discovering what he reported. Harry’s representatives have consistently asserted that he was truthful.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex departed the UK in 2020 and are currently residing in Montecito, California.
In his memoir, Harry mentions that cocaine “didn’t do anything for me,” while stating that “marijuana is different, it actually really did help me.” He also recounted taking magic mushrooms he discovered in a fridge during a party hosted by Friends star Courtney Cox.
Nile Gardiner from the Heritage Foundation commented: “There is no accountability and transparency in the heavily redacted documents.”
He added that people “deserve to know” about Harry’s responses regarding his drug use on his visa application.
