Prince Harry's open admission to past drug use could jeopardize his chances of obtaining US citizenship, according to a legal expert. In his best-selling memoir, Spare, the Duke of Sussex detailed his experiences with various substances, including marijuana, cocaine, and magic mushrooms. He also spoke about using drugs during a star-studded event in California and smoking cannabis after his first date with Meghan.
The Duke confirmed his drug use history last month while participating in a therapy session with toxic trauma specialist Dr. Gabor Mate. Among the substances he admitted to using was the hallucinogenic Amazonian plant ayahuasca, which is said to remove life's filters.
These revelations have prompted calls for the release of Prince Harry's visa application to determine if he declared his drug use. Kaitlin Davies, a solicitor from Davies Legal, told The Sun that without exceptional circumstances, Prince Harry might never be eligible for a Green Card or US citizenship if he officially admits to using cocaine. She added that the Duke would be considered ineligible for a visa if he ever informed an immigration officer of his illegal drug use.
Sources close to Prince Harry have reportedly told The Telegraph that he was honest on his visa application, suggesting that he did disclose his drug history. However, admitting to drug use typically results in visa applications being denied.
In 2019, Brit Isabella Brazier-Jones claimed she was banned from the US for ten years after admitting to using cocaine two years earlier. The 31-year-old said she was immediately put in a jail cell and made to wait for 24 hours before being returned to the UK.
A leading US think tank, the Heritage Foundation, has filed a Freedom of Information (FoI) request, asking for transparency regarding Prince Harry's responses. The deadline for a reply is April 12.
Samuel Dewey, an attorney representing the Heritage Foundation in the FoI case, said that one condition for a waiver in cases involving admitted drug use could be a requirement to check in with a medical examiner for follow-up. The Heritage Foundation is also pushing for the release of Prince Harry's visa application, questioning whether he received special treatment due to his royal status and Meghan's celebrity, which they argue would be illegal.
In response to the Foundation's calls, a US State Department spokesperson said, "Visa records are confidential under Section 222(f) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA); therefore, we cannot discuss the details of individual visa cases."