Daryl Hannah Asserts That Neil Young’s Citizenship Journey Was Obstructed by ‘Every Trick in the Book’

Actress Daryl Hannah has discussed the challenges her husband Neil Young encountered during his quest for American citizenship, asserting that “every trick in the book” was utilized to hinder the procedure.

Hannah, who has been in a union with Young since 2018, expressed these views in a recent interview with the BBC, claiming that the delays were intentional. “They attempted […] every trick possible to complicate matters for him, making him return repeatedly for re-interviews,” Hannah recounted. “It’s absurd [given that] he has been residing in America and paying taxes here since his 20s.”

Indeed, Young was born in Toronto in 1945 but moved to the U.S. in 1966. In a 1975 interview with Rolling Stone, Young revealed that he had been living in the country illegally until he received a green card in 1970.

In November 2019, Young addressed some obstacles his citizenship application encountered, referring to a policy change from earlier that year that indicated his past marijuana use did not align with the requirement for “good moral character.”

“During my recent application for American citizenship, I successfully completed the test,” Young shared at that time. “It was an interview where I was asked numerous questions. I responded honestly and passed. However, I have recently been informed that I must undergo another test due to my marijuana use and the problematic issues some individuals who consume it have manifested.”

Eventually, Young was awarded U.S. citizenship in January 2020, although he would later move to Canada within the same year.

Recently, Young’s critiques of the U.S. government have led him to express concerns that he may face blacklisting upon returning to the U.S. due to the “recent actions of our US government.” 

 “When I perform music in Europe and mention Donald J. Trump, I could be one of those returning to America who could be forbidden entry or jailed to sleep on a concrete floor with a metal blanket,” Young wrote on his website on April 1. “If I return from Europe and am denied entry, and cannot conduct my USA tour, all the fans who purchased tickets would miss my concert.”

“If my opinion that Donald Trump is the worst president in the history of our nation could prevent my return, what does that signify for Freedom?” he added. “I cherish America and its people, its music, and its culture.”

Despite these remarks, Hannah indicated that she does not share the same anxiety that Young could be detained at the border, mainly due to his U.S. citizenship status. 

“They have been detaining individuals with green cards or visas – which is dreadful and shocking – yet they haven’t, up to now, been preventing American citizens from returning to the country, so I don’t believe that will occur,” she elaborated.

• Source: NEWHD MEDIA