Comments Prince Harry made about becoming an American citizen while being interviewed on Good Morning America (GMA) have been dragged into a lawsuit brought against the Biden administration.
The Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank based in Washington DC, filed the Freedom of Information Act case against the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) after Harry admitted to previously using drugs, which they argue should have disqualified him from entry into the US.
Harry and his wife Meghan Markle relocated to California in 2020, however the Heritage Foundation have claimed that the Duke of Sussex must have either withheld information on his past drug use or was given favourable treatment due to this status.
Now Harry’s comments about his potential citizenship in the interview with GMA, which was broadcast on February 16, will be used by the Heritage legal team in its case, according to a court filing seen by Newsweek.
The Prince said on the show: “American citizenship is a thought that has crossed my mind but isn’t something that’s a high priority for me right now.”
The DHS has countered that the case would lead to Harry’s immigration status being revealed, which is a breach of privacy and therefore the case should be thrown out.
The court case will be heard this Friday February 23 in Washington DC, although Harry himself will likely be at home 2,700 miles away in Montecito.
A past DHS court filing, seen by Newsweek, reads: “The records are particularly sensitive because releasing them, even in part, would reveal Prince Harry’s status in the United States, which Prince Harry has not disclosed.
“Specifically, the records would reveal the types of documents that Prince Harry used to travel to the United States, his admission status, and any immigration, or non-immigration, benefits that he may have sought.
“Courts consistently hold that a person’s visa or immigration status is private, personal information exempt from disclosure.”
Heritage’s argument is that the Duke gave up his right to privacy when he publicised his drug taking in his memoir Spare.
If Harry does decide to press ahead with becoming a US citizen that will bring with it its own controversies, as he may be forced to renounce his royal title.
Citizenship rules in the US state: “Any applicant who has any titles of heredity or positions of nobility in any foreign state must renounce the title or the position.
“The applicant must expressly renounce the title in a public ceremony and USCIS [United States Citizenship & Immigration Services] must record the renunciation as part of the proceedings. Failure to renounce the title of position shows a lack of attachment to the Constitution.”
When Harry and Meghan first stepped down as working royals they were permitted to keep their titles, but were expressly forbidden from turning Sussex Royal into their brand.
