Harry’s immigration records ‘likely’ to be disclosed, judge says in first hearing under Trump

A federal judge has indicated that he is likely to release immigration files on Prince Harry after the first hearing in the royal’s high-profile case since President Donald Trump took office. U.S. District Court Judge Carl J. Nichols stated that Harry’s files should be released to the maximum extent possible, during the hearing in Washington, D.C. The judge emphasized that he is required to make public everything that can be made public while ensuring not to violate any privacy laws.

“I’m going to take this in stages,” Nichols said, mentioning that the government will have the opportunity to propose potential redactions. This marks the first hearing in the case since Trump’s inauguration, with pressure mounting on the President to unseal Harry’s immigration records.

Nile Gardiner of the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank behind the lawsuit to unseal Harry’s records, expressed the importance of releasing the immigration files. “It’s important because this is an issue of the rule of law, transparency, and accountability. No one should be above the law,” Gardiner stated. “Donald Trump is ushering in a new era of strict border control enforcement, and Prince Harry should be held fully accountable as he has admitted to extensive illegal drug use.”

The case revolves around allegations of whether Harry lied on immigration forms or received special treatment when he first moved to the U.S. in 2020. This question arose after the royal confessed to using illegal drugs in his memoir “Spare,” released in 2023. The Heritage Foundation filed a lawsuit against the Department of Homeland Security to have Harry’s immigration records disclosed.

Trump has indicated his willingness to deport Harry, criticizing the royal’s disrespectful behavior towards the country. “He has been so disrespectful to the country, and I think he’s an embarrassment,” Trump stated in a 2022 interview with Piers Morgan.

The release of Prince Harry’s immigration records is a contentious issue that has garnered significant attention since Trump took office. The outcome of the case will shed light on the circumstances surrounding Harry’s move to the U.S. and provide transparency and accountability in the immigration process. As the legal proceedings continue, the public awaits further developments in this high-profile case.