Actress Daryl Hannah has alleged that the Trump administration attempted to interfere with her husband Neil Young’s path to U.S. citizenship, suggesting repeated delays and unusual scrutiny during his naturalization process.
Young, a Canadian-born music legend and longtime U.S. green card holder, had sought American citizenship to participate in voting. Despite eventually achieving citizenship in 2020, Hannah says her husband was called in for multiple interviews, which she believes were politically motivated due to Young’s public criticism of then-President Trump.
Part of the delay reportedly involved concerns over Young’s past marijuana use—an issue that can complicate immigration proceedings under federal law. However, Hannah suggests this reasoning was used as a pretext to stall or derail the process.
Even after becoming a citizen, Young has voiced concerns about how his political views might affect his ability to travel freely, particularly the risk of being denied re-entry into the U.S. following international performances.
The incident highlights ongoing tensions between outspoken public figures and political leadership, raising broader questions about the influence of politics on immigration decisions and freedom of expression.