Prince Harry appeared in good spirits on Tuesday, stepping out in Santa Barbara, California, with a visible sense of relief.
His outing came shortly after the federal government confirmed that he had not received any special treatment when applying for his U.S. visa.
This decision put an end to ongoing speculation that he had misrepresented his past drug use on immigration forms.
No Preferential Treatment, Says U.S. Government
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued a statement clarifying that Harry’s visa application adhered to all standard procedures.
This ruling effectively dismissed a lawsuit filed by the conservative Heritage Foundation, which had sought to prove that the Duke of Sussex had lied on his immigration paperwork.
The case even fueled speculation that former President Donald Trump might consider deporting him.
However, despite Harry’s past admissions of drug use in his memoir Spare and Netflix series, the government found no evidence of misconduct in the processing of his application.
Heavy Redactions Keep Details Private
Although some documents related to the case were released, they were extensively redacted, maintaining Harry’s privacy.
The DHS declined to disclose his actual visa records, citing legal protections for nonimmigrant and immigrant status information.
Officials stated that revealing such details could expose him to harassment or manipulation.
According to Jarrod Panter, DHS’s chief Freedom of Information Act officer, disclosing an individual’s visa status without their consent is not standard practice.
Judge’s Reversal Leads to Document Release
Judge Carl Nichols, who initially rejected the Heritage Foundation’s request to unseal all of Harry’s immigration documents, later reconsidered his decision.
He ultimately allowed the release of certain materials, though the extent of redactions left many questions unanswered.
Among the disclosed files was a transcript from a closed-door hearing in April 2024, which included a brief mention of musician Sting in a discussion about visa statuses.
Political Reactions and Trump’s Comments
The case also stirred political debate, with Trump initially suggesting he wouldn’t protect Harry if legal issues arose.
However, he later softened his stance, stating that he wouldn’t push for the prince’s deportation, citing his belief that Harry already faces challenges in his personal life.
Speaking to the New York Post, Trump remarked that he was “giving Harry a break” because “he’s got enough problems with his wife.”
Calls for Full Disclosure Persist
Despite the DHS ruling, the Heritage Foundation remains unsatisfied, arguing that the American public deserves full transparency regarding Harry’s immigration process.
Nile Gardiner, director of the Margaret Thatcher Center for Freedom, criticized the Biden administration for what he called a lack of accountability.
He suggested that a potential Trump administration could take steps to release Harry’s complete visa file in an unredacted format.
What’s Next for Prince Harry?
While the government’s decision brings closure to the lawsuit, it is unlikely to silence critics who demand more transparency.
For now, Harry appears content to move forward with his life in California alongside Meghan Markle and their two children.
However, with ongoing political debates surrounding immigration policies, the controversy over his visa status may not be entirely over.