The Heritage Foundation has initiated this request, seeking information on whether the Duke of Sussex received any preferential treatment from the US government.
This hearing coincided with Prince Harry's presence in the United Kingdom, where he was testifying in his case against a newspaper group at the London High Court.
The Heritage Foundation, invoking the Freedom of Information Act, has specifically requested access to Prince Harry's visa application, citing his disclosure of past recreational drug use in his memoir.
Judge Carl Nichols granted the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) until June 13 to decide whether they will prioritize and respond to the records request.
According to CNN, various agencies within the department, including the US Border Patrol, have denied the FOIA requests. However, a final determination from the agency's headquarters is still pending.
DHS has explained that the initial denials of the requests from the Heritage Foundation were based on the group's lack of authorization or consent from Prince Harry himself to release the requested information.
In court on Tuesday, DHS attorney John Bardo emphasized the confidentiality of a person's visa.
DHS attorneys have also argued that an injunction to expedite the FOIA requests would be inappropriate in this case. They have stated that the Heritage Foundation has not demonstrated how they would suffer irreparable harm if the information is not promptly disclosed, among other factors.
