Prince Harry's Immigration Files Might Be Released With Trump's Election Win As 'It's The President's Prerogative'
By Favour Adegoke on November 7, 2024 at 3:30 PM EST
Prince Harry's immigration records could soon be released to the public after Donald Trump succeeds President Joe Biden.
The former senior royal has been embroiled in a protracted legal struggle with a think tank over the disclosure of his immigration details to the United States.
According to a previous court ruling, these details remain "private for now." However, the think tank believes an appeal could succeed now that Donald Trump has assumed the presidency.
The organization also believes the Biden administration has "bent over backward to protect Harry."
'There's A Strong Possibility' Prince Harry's Files Will Be Released During Donald Trump's Presidency
After the release of Prince Harry's memoir "Spare," the former senior royal found himself at the center of a legal dispute between the Heritage Foundation and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) over the specifics of his immigration status.
In his memoir, Harry openly admitted to past recreational drug use, a detail he would have been required to disclose in his immigration paperwork. Such information could potentially have made him ineligible for entry into the United States.
The Heritage Foundation had submitted a Freedom of Information request for Prince Harry's immigration records, which the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) denied, ultimately leading to the lawsuit.
In September, a judge ruled that the details would remain confidential for the time being. However, with Donald Trump set to assume the presidency, the think tank believes it can successfully appeal the decision, as Harry will no longer be protected by the Biden administration.
"I do think there's a strong possibility that this could happen. It's the president's prerogative," said Nile Gardiner, the foundation's director, per the Daily Mail. "Also, the new Homeland Security Secretary could order a review of Harry's immigration application."
The Think Tank Feels Releasing Prince Harry's Files Is In The 'Best Interest' Of Americans
Gardiner also shared that besides the options he gave, "multiple things" could happen regarding the case.
Whatever happens, he believes it would be in the "best interests of the American people" if the incoming government released Prince Harry's records for "public scrutiny."
"Releasing Harry's immigration records would send a very strong message about applying the rule of law equally to everyone," said the director, who also accused the Biden administration of bending "over backward to protect Prince Harry."
He added, "There's a clear public interest in their release. If Harry has nothing to hide, he should support the release of the records."
As for when the files might be released, Gardiner predicted it could come as early as next year, citing this would happen amid "growing calls" for their disclosure from the Republican-controlled Congress.
Donald Trump Previously Stated 'He Wouldn't Protect' The Duke Of Sussex
Earlier in the year, Trump candidly said Harry would not receive preferential treatment regarding his immigrant status.
"I wouldn't protect him. He betrayed the queen. That's unforgivable," the former president said during his appearance at the Conservative Political Action Conference in Oxon Hill, Md., on Saturday, per the New York Post.
"He would be on his own if it was down to me," Trump continued before adding that President Biden's administration has been too "gracious" to Harry after "what he has done."
On a different occasion, Trump also said he would take "appropriate action" against Harry if he lied on his visa papers prior to moving to the U.S, per the Daily Beast.
He had also publicly stated that he wasn't a fan of the Invictus Games founder's wife, Meghan Markle after she made a series of negative comments about him.
The Billionaire Mogul's Son Called Prince Harry and Meghan 'Spoiled Apples'
As it turns out, Trump isn't the only one in his family who has strong opinions about Harry and Meghan.
The billionaire mogul's son, Eric Trump, also once shot at the royal couple during an interview with British media outlet GB News.
"What I can tell you is, my father had so much respect for the queen, as did I. My mum knew so many of them for years and had a great relationship with Diana," Eric said. "It's a sacred institution. You can happily have those two [Meghan and Harry], we might not want them anymore, it feels like they're on an island of their own."
In not-so-subtle words, he also mentioned that Harry and Meghan have stood out among the royal family, but not in a good way.
Eric added, "You can always have bad actors in everything. You can have spoiled apples in every orchard."
The Duke Considered Applying For U.S. Citizenship
Earlier this year, Prince Harry shared that he considered applying for U.S. citizenship.
"The American citizenship is a thought that has crossed my mind but is certainly not something that is a high priority for me right now," the Duke of Sussex said in an interview with "Good Morning America."
When asked what has stalled the process of getting one, Harry seemed to wiggle his way out of giving a proper reply, saying he had "no idea. "