Neil Young’s wife Daryl Hannah claims Trump’s first administration tried to sabotage his US citizenship

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Actress Daryl Hannah claimed that President Donald Trump's first administration attempted to sabotage music legend Neil Young’s path to US citizenship.

Young, born in Toronto, Canada, in 1945, moved to the US in the 1960s and secured a green card in 1970. After decades of residency, he became a US citizen in early 2020.

Celebrating the milestone, Young shared a patriotic Instagram post on January 22, 2020, proudly stating, "I’m in," alongside a photo of himself standing next to an American flag and a sign urging Democrats to register to vote.

Daryl Hannah details her husband Neil Young's hurdles in his citizenship process

In a recent interview with the BBC, Daryl Hannah revealed that Neil Young faced repeated hurdles in his citizenship process under President Donald Trump’s first administration.

According to Hannah, officials repeatedly called Young back for interviews in what she described as deliberate attempts to derail his application.

She revealed, “They tried every trick in the book to mess him up, and made him keep coming back to be re-interviewed and re-interviewed. It’s ridiculous [because] he’s been living in America and paying taxes here since he was in his 20s.”

Hannah, who married Young in 2018, expressed hope that he wouldn’t face further issues now that he’s a US citizen.

“They’ve been detaining people who have green cards or visas, which is hideous and horrifying, but they have not, so far, been refusing to let American citizens back in the country, so I don’t think that’s going to happen,” she added.

Daryl Hannah shares what makes her feel most at ease

Before concluding the interview, Daryl Hannah revealed that she is set to join Neil Young at Glastonbury, where she plans to film his performance from the side of the stage. Interestingly, the trip coincides with the 25th anniversary of her West End debut in 'The Seven Year Itch'.

When asked if she has any interest in returning to the stage, Hannah quickly shut down the idea. “Oh God, no,” she laughed. “I really love directing because I don’t have to be the center of attention — it’s a much more comfortable place for me.” She added, “I mean, never say never, but that’s how I feel right now.”

Neil Young explains why his US citizenship was delayed

Neil Young revealed that his path to US citizenship was delayed due to his past marijuana use.

In a post on his website from November 2019, Young shared, “I was asked many questions. I answered them truthfully and passed. Recently, however, I have been told that I must do another test, due to my use of marijuana and how some people who smoke it have exhibited a problem."

As he prepares for a European tour this June and July, Young expressed concern about reentering the US afterward.

On his website, Neil Young Archives, he wrote, “When I go to play music in Europe, if I talk about Donald J Trump, I may be one of those returning to America who is barred or put in jail to sleep on a cement floor with an aluminium blanket.”

He added, "That is happening all the time now. Countries have new advice for those returning to America."