Donald Trump has stated that he will not deport Prince Harry, despite the ongoing legal issues regarding the Duke of Sussex’s immigration status in the U.S. In a conversation with The New York Post, Trump disregarded the idea of removing Harry from the country, saying, “I’ll leave him alone. He’s got enough problems with his wife. She’s terrible.”
The Heritage Foundation, a right-leaning think tank, has been advocating for the disclosure of Harry’s U.S. visa records. The foundation claims that Harry may have hidden his previous drug use, which could make him ineligible for entry into the U.S. This allegation is based on Harry’s 2023 memoir, “Spare,” where he confessed to using cocaine, cannabis, and psychedelics.
The Heritage Foundation has filed a lawsuit against the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), alleging that Harry either lied about his drug history in his application or was given special treatment by the Biden administration. Nile Gardiner of the Heritage Foundation told The Daily Telegraph, “Anyone who applies to the United States has to be truthful on their application, and it is not clear that is the case with Prince Harry.”
In a recent hearing in Washington, D.C., U.S. District Court Judge Carl J. Nichols suggested that Harry’s immigration documents could be disclosed “to the maximum extent possible,” while ensuring compliance with privacy laws.
During his 2024 campaign, Trump implied to politician and broadcaster Nigel Farage that the U.S. government would need to act accordingly if evidence proved that Harry falsified his application. However, he did not explicitly support deportation. Furthermore, he accused the Biden administration of “protecting” Harry and told the Daily Express, “I wouldn’t protect him. He betrayed the Queen. That’s unforgivable. He would be on his own if it was down to me.”
Trump’s recent remarks were made just before the commencement of the Invictus Games in Canada, an event established by Prince Harry for injured veterans. British media has speculated that Harry was hesitant to leave the U.S. due to potential problems with reentry, although the prince has not confirmed these speculations.
Trump also took the opportunity to compliment Prince William, whom he met privately in Paris in December during the reopening of Notre Dame Cathedral. “I think William is a great young man,” he told The New York Post.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have expressed their disapproval of Trump in the past. Meghan Markle publicly denounced him as “misogynistic” and “divisive” prior to the 2016 election, leading Trump to label her “nasty” in 2019. He has also consistently criticized Harry, telling interviewer Piers Morgan in 2022 that the prince was “whipped like no person he had ever seen.”
Although Trump’s statements alleviate the immediate threat of deportation, the lawsuit filed by the Heritage Foundation is still ongoing. A judge is expected to decide the level of disclosure regarding Harry’s immigration records. If disclosed, these documents could clarify if the prince received preferential treatment or misrepresented information on his visa application.
Legal experts have noted that deportation due to past drug use typically requires a criminal conviction, which Harry does not possess. Nevertheless, this case remains a point of dispute among conservatives who advocate for strict immigration enforcement.
Despite speculations, neither Harry nor Meghan publicly campaigned against Trump in the 2024 election. This may have reduced the political pressure on Trump to focus on the prince.
Mike Howell of the Heritage Foundation previously suggested that Trump’s return to office in 2025 could heighten the possibility of deportation. However, Trump’s latest position suggests otherwise, indicating that Harry’s immigration status may not be a key concern in his broader push for stricter border controls.
With Judge Nichols leaning toward partial disclosure of Harry’s visa records, the upcoming weeks could bring new developments. While the records could absolve him, they could also uncover details that raise further questions about his application process. The exact type of visa Harry holds remains unknown, adding to speculation about whether he and Meghan had long planned their move before their official royal exit in 2020.