Former President Donald Trump is under increasing pressure from the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank, to release Prince Harry's immigration records. The group claims the Duke of Sussex may have misrepresented his history of drug use on his visa application, a matter they say carries "immense public interest."

The controversy stems from Prince Harry's 2023 memoir, Spare, in which he detailed past drug use, including cocaine, marijuana, and psychedelic mushrooms. U.S. visa applicants are required by law to disclose any prior drug use, raising questions about how Harry was allowed entry into the country in 2020 when he relocated with his wife Meghan Markle and son Archie.

Nile Gardiner, director of the Heritage Foundation's Margaret Thatcher Center for Freedom, has publicly urged Trump to use his presidential authority to make the documents public. "Donald Trump is ushering in a new era of strict border control enforcement, and you know, Prince Harry should be held fully to account as he has admitted to extensive illegal drug use," Gardiner told the New York Post. "My firm expectation is that action will be taken."

This is not the first time the Heritage Foundation has sought access to the Duke's immigration records. After their Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was denied by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the group filed a lawsuit arguing that transparency was necessary to understand how DHS officials exercise discretion. However, in September, Judge Carl Nichols ruled that the documents should remain private, stating that their release would violate privacy protections.

Undeterred, the Heritage Foundation filed a new motion in October, arguing that publishing the records would "help the public better understand how the Department conducts itself." With the Biden administration offering no support, the Foundation is now lobbying Trump to override the court's decision.

Trump's stance on the matter has added intrigue to the debate. Speaking with British broadcaster Nigel Farage on GB News last year, Trump suggested that Prince Harry might not enjoy "special privileges" if it were proven that he lied on his visa application. When asked if such a revelation could lead to deportation, Trump responded, "You would have thought they would have known this a long time ago."

In his memoir, Harry downplayed his drug use, stating, Cocaine didn't "do anything for me," while noting that marijuana "really did help me." He also described taking the psychedelic drug ayahuasca, claiming it helped him process his grief over his mother, Princess Diana.

The stakes are high. If the visa files are made public and reveal inconsistencies, Prince Harry could face deportation, a scenario that would drastically alter the life he and Meghan have built in Montecito, California. Their U.S. residency began in 2020 after stepping down from royal duties, a decision that strained Harry's relationships with his father, King Charles III, and brother, Prince William.

Compounding the scrutiny, Prince Harry recently settled a legal case with The Sun publisher News Group Newspapers, reportedly receiving an eight-figure sum. While the UK does not tax legal damages, U.S. tax law may require Harry to pay taxes on the settlement, after deducting legal fees.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex continue to face criticism on multiple fronts. A recent Vanity Fair article accused the couple of difficult behavior, portraying Harry as "hapless" with "crazy ideas" and Meghan as "really, really awful" when challenged.

Adding to their woes, Harry and Meghan were labeled "disaster tourists" by actress Justine Bateman after they were filmed visiting an evacuation center during the California wildfires. "What a repulsive 'photo op' they achieved," Bateman wrote on X/Twitter. However, Pasadena's mayor, Victor Gordo, defended their actions, calling the couple "great people" eager to provide support.