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In a dramatic courtroom showdown, American government lawyers are fervently fighting to keep 'law enforcement' documents related to Prince Harry's visa application under wraps, arguing that their release could cast a "stigma" on the Duke of Sussex.
According to a report by Daily Mail Online UK, this fierce legal battle is detailed in a 53-page court transcript, which was scheduled for release last night.
The case has gained momentum following a February hearing where a conservative think-tank, The Heritage Foundation, pushed for the disclosure of details from Harry's March 2020 visa application, particularly his responses to questions about drug use.
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This comes after Harry's own admissions in his memoir, Spare, where he openly discussed his past drug use, including cocaine, psychedelic mushrooms, and marijuana.
During the hearing, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) lawyers staunchly defended Prince Harry’s right to privacy, insisting that the visa documents should remain sealed.
When questioned by the judge about the privacy interest the government is asserting on Harry's behalf, DHS attorney John Bardo emphasized the sensitive nature of the documents.
"Many of these records, Your Honour, are law enforcement records. So there is a stigma associated with being mentioned in a law enforcement record," Bardo stated, underscoring the confidential nature of the law enforcement tools and techniques detailed within the documents.
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This marks the first time the term "law enforcement records" has surfaced in the context of Prince Harry's visa case. Although it remains unclear what specific records are involved, speculation abounds.
An LA-based immigration lawyer noted, "Law enforcement records could mean the police, FBI, airport police, secret service, military police, or even the highway patrol.
The word 'stigma' is not typically associated with a routine visa application. It raises significant questions about what exactly is in those records that could attach such a stigma to Prince Harry's application."
The Heritage Foundation is relentless in its pursuit, suing the DHS to force the release of all documents related to Harry's entry and current residency in the United States.
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Visa applicants are required to answer whether they have ever been a drug abuser or addict.
The foundation argues that Prince Harry's candid admissions in his autobiography negate his right to privacy in this matter. However, DHS lawyer John Bardo counters that Spare "isn't sworn testimony or proof."
As the legal tug-of-war intensifies, Judge Carl Nichols is meticulously reviewing the documents in private and is expected to issue a ruling within weeks on whether they should be made public.
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The outcome of this case could have far-reaching implications, not only for Prince Harry but also for the transparency and privacy rights of public figures undergoing similar scrutiny.
As the world watches, the debate over privacy, public interest, and the potential stigma associated with law enforcement records continues to unfold in a U.S. courtroom.
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