Former US President Donald Trump minced no words when he criticized Prince Harry, labeling his actions as an “unforgivable” betrayal of the late Queen Elizabeth II. Speaking at the Conservative Political Action Conference, Trump asserted, “I wouldn’t shield him. His betrayal of the Queen is unforgivable. If it were up to me, he’d stand alone.”
President Joe Biden didn’t escape Donald Trump’s scrutiny either. Trump criticized Biden for being “too gracious” toward the Duke of Sussex, Prince Harry. Since relocating to the US with Meghan Markle in 2020, the couple now resides in California with their two children.
Prince Harry, in a recent interview on Good Morning America, revealed that he has contemplated the idea of obtaining American citizenship. Despite this consideration, he clarified that it is not currently a top priority for him.
Donald Trump’s statements align with the renewed discussion surrounding Prince Harry’s immigration status. A US conservative think tank asserts that the Duke’s legal entry into the country may be questionable due to his admission of using illegal drugs in his book, ‘Spare’.
The 39-year-old Duke, in his best-selling book released in 2023, openly admitted to using cocaine, marijuana, and psychedelic mushrooms. However, lawyers representing the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) have raised doubts about the veracity of his claims. They suggest that he might have fabricated this information to enhance the book’s appeal to Royal family followers.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has faced mounting pressure from the Heritage Foundation in recent months. The Foundation contends that the DHS should release the documents related to the Duke of Sussex, citing the revelations made in his memoir. Specifically, they argue that the Duke’s prior drug use should have rendered him ineligible for entry into the United States under federal law. The Heritage Foundation asserts that disclosing the Duke’s visa application is a matter of significant public interest.
John Bardo, a lawyer representing the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), firmly asserts that disclosing the paperwork would constitute an unwarranted invasion of Prince Harry’s privacy. He emphasizes that the records are highly sensitive because any release, even partial, could unveil Prince Harry’s undisclosed status in the United States. Courts consistently uphold that an individual’s visa or immigration status is private and exempt from disclosure. The delicate balance between transparency and privacy remains at the heart of this legal debate.
Indeed, it’s important to recognize that Prince Harry, should he apply for US citizenship, would need to relinquish his title. According to the US Citizenship and Immigration Services rules, any applicant holding titles of heredity or positions of nobility in a foreign state must formally renounce those titles or positions. This policy ensures that all applicants are treated equally and without special privileges based on their social status or lineage. The delicate balance between tradition and the principles of immigration law remains a central consideration in such cases.
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