'No Special Treatment', says Trump

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Prince Harry’s move to the United States has been anything but ordinary. After a two-year legal battle, heavily redacted immigration documents were finally released.

These documents have shed light on the Duke of Sussex’s visa application.

NO SPECIAL TREATMENT FOR PRINCE HARRY

Despite claims from critics, there’s no evidence that Harry received special treatment during his immigration process.

The Trump administration firmly stated that his application followed all the rules and regulations.

The controversy began when the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank, sued the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), according to Daily Mail.

They wanted proof that Harry had disclosed his past drug use on his visa forms.

PRINCE HARRY’S MEMOIR ‘SPARE’

In his memoir Spare and Netflix series, Harry openly admitted to using cannabis, cocaine, and magic mushrooms.

If he had failed to declare this history, he could have faced deportation or additional scrutiny upon entering the U.S. in 2020.

But the released documents offered little clarity. Pages were blacked out to protect Harry’s privacy and prevent harassment, according to The Independent.

PRIVACY CONCERNS

Jarrod Panter, DHS’s chief Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) officer, explained that revealing such information could expose Harry to harm or manipulation.

“To release such information would potentially expose the individual to harassment as well as unwanted contact by the media and others,” Panter stated.

Judge Carl Nichols initially refused to release any of Harry’s immigration records due to privacy concerns, according to the BBC.

However, after reconsidering, he allowed partial disclosure while ensuring sensitive details remained hidden.

TRANSCRIPTS OF COURT HEARINGS

The DHS released six documents, including records officer declarations and court hearing transcripts, but heavily redacted them.

Nile Gardiner of the Heritage Foundation wasn’t satisfied with the outcome.

“These documents do not in any way alter the big picture,” he said. “The American public deserves to know how he entered the country and if he did so legally.”

Gardiner criticised the Biden administration for its lack of transparency, claiming that Trump’s administration would have handled things differently.

DONALD TRUMP WILL NOT DEPORT PRINCE HARRY

The case also sparked speculation about whether Donald Trump might deport Harry.

Although Trump initially hinted at taking action against the Duke, he later dismissed the idea, citing Harry’s marital woes with Meghan Markle as punishment enough.

“I wouldn’t deport him; his wife is terrible,” Trump quipped in an interview.

For South Africans following this saga, it’s a reminder of how celebrity status can complicate legal matters—even across borders.

IMMIGRATION LAWS

Immigration laws apply universally, but public figures often find themselves under greater scrutiny. The drama surrounding Harry’s visa highlights how personal disclosures can become public controversies.

Despite the noise, one thing is clear: Prince Harry didn’t receive preferential treatment during his immigration process.

DHS confirmed that his application complied with all regulations under U.S. law. Whether critics will accept this remains uncertain.

PRINCE HARRY’S FAMILY

As for Harry himself, he has stayed silent on the matter—a wise move given the media frenzy surrounding him and Meghan Markle.

With two children and a new life in California, perhaps privacy is what this royal rebel needs most.

In today’s world of transparency battles and celebrity intrigue, Prince Harry’s immigration drama offers more questions than answers—but at least we know he followed the rules when crossing borders.