From icon to possible outsider? Neil Young questions his future in America
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The legendary Neil Young, a voice that has echoed through generations with his poignant music and activism, has recently struck a chord of concern that resonates with the unsettling notion of freedom under fire.
At 79, the rock icon, who proudly holds dual Canadian-American citizenship, is facing a fear that seems more akin to a dystopian novel than the reality of a democratic nation.
Why is he worried? Would he be barred from the US?
Young has voiced apprehensions that his candid criticisms of former President Donald Trump could potentially lead to him being barred from re-entering the United States after his European tour.
On his Neil Young Archives website, the musician expressed his trepidation, drawing attention to a disturbing trend where individuals who have publicly criticized the Trump administration, or even those who have had their private messages scrutinized by immigration officers, find themselves detained or deported upon attempting to enter the US.
Young's concerns are not unfounded, as recent incidents have shown that vague visa issues have been cited as reasons for such actions, disproportionately affecting those who have been vocal against Trump's policies and behavior.
“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,” Young said. “That is happening all the time now. Countries have new advice for those returning to America.”
The Heart of Gold singer is slated to tour Europe in June and July, marking his first set of shows on the continent in six years. The tour is expected to culminate with a return to the US in August for a series of concerts.
However, Young fears that his return might be met with resistance at the border, potentially disappointing countless fans who have already secured tickets to his performances.
“That's right, folks. If you say anything bad about Trump or his administration, you may be barred from re-entering USA if you are Canadian,” Young wrote. “If you are a dual citizen like me, who knows? We’ll all find that out together.”
Young's history of protest against Trump is well-documented. In 2015, he challenged Trump's unauthorized use of his song Rockin' in the Free World during a campaign event and later filed a lawsuit to prevent further misuse of his music.
“Imagine what it feels like to hear Rockin’ in the Free World after this president speaks, like it is his theme song,” he said at the time. “I did not write it for that.”
Young's disdain for Trump's politics was further solidified when, after becoming a US citizen in 2020, he penned an open letter branding Trump as “a disgrace to my country.”
Source: CBS News / Youtube.
He also added, “If the fact that I think Donald Trump is the worst president in the history of our great country could stop me from coming back, what does that say for Freedom? … Remember Freedom of Speech?”
The issue extends beyond Young's personal battle. The British punk band UK Subs and a French scientist have also been denied entry to the US, both having previously expressed criticism of the Trump administration.
Also read: He brought us “Poetry in Motion”—now the music world mourns his passing at 86
The US government's actions against foreign student activists further underscore the pattern of targeting dissenting voices.
European countries have taken note of these developments, with Denmark and Finland advising caution to trans and non-binary travelers, Germany warning that a visa or entry waiver is not a guaranteed pass into the US, and the UK revising their travel advisory to highlight the consequences of breaking US entry rules.
On Tuesday, Young spoke up against what he views as “spineless” acts of enforcement.
“It seems that those who speak out freely with their own opinions are now vulnerable to a non-existent Trump law,” he expressed, “that makes it possible for you to go to jail or be detained, punished in some way for not showing allegiance to what?”
Young finished by referencing from the pledge of allegiance. “One country, indivisible, with Liberty and Freedom for all,” he said. “Remember that? I do.”
Read next: Trump teases the possibility of another political decision–"I'm not done yet."
What are your thoughts on this issue? Have you experienced or observed similar challenges to free speech? How do you think we can safeguard our right to express our opinions, regardless of political affiliation? Join the conversation below!
At 79, the rock icon, who proudly holds dual Canadian-American citizenship, is facing a fear that seems more akin to a dystopian novel than the reality of a democratic nation.
Why is he worried? Would he be barred from the US?
Young has voiced apprehensions that his candid criticisms of former President Donald Trump could potentially lead to him being barred from re-entering the United States after his European tour.
On his Neil Young Archives website, the musician expressed his trepidation, drawing attention to a disturbing trend where individuals who have publicly criticized the Trump administration, or even those who have had their private messages scrutinized by immigration officers, find themselves detained or deported upon attempting to enter the US.
Young's concerns are not unfounded, as recent incidents have shown that vague visa issues have been cited as reasons for such actions, disproportionately affecting those who have been vocal against Trump's policies and behavior.
“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,” Young said. “That is happening all the time now. Countries have new advice for those returning to America.”
Neil Young, a musician with dual Canadian-American citizenship, has expressed fears of being barred from the US due to his criticisms of Donald Trump. Image source: Burt & Nicholas Wolf / Youtube.
The Heart of Gold singer is slated to tour Europe in June and July, marking his first set of shows on the continent in six years. The tour is expected to culminate with a return to the US in August for a series of concerts.
However, Young fears that his return might be met with resistance at the border, potentially disappointing countless fans who have already secured tickets to his performances.
“That's right, folks. If you say anything bad about Trump or his administration, you may be barred from re-entering USA if you are Canadian,” Young wrote. “If you are a dual citizen like me, who knows? We’ll all find that out together.”
Young's history of protest against Trump is well-documented. In 2015, he challenged Trump's unauthorized use of his song Rockin' in the Free World during a campaign event and later filed a lawsuit to prevent further misuse of his music.
“Imagine what it feels like to hear Rockin’ in the Free World after this president speaks, like it is his theme song,” he said at the time. “I did not write it for that.”
Young's disdain for Trump's politics was further solidified when, after becoming a US citizen in 2020, he penned an open letter branding Trump as “a disgrace to my country.”
Source: CBS News / Youtube.
He also added, “If the fact that I think Donald Trump is the worst president in the history of our great country could stop me from coming back, what does that say for Freedom? … Remember Freedom of Speech?”
The issue extends beyond Young's personal battle. The British punk band UK Subs and a French scientist have also been denied entry to the US, both having previously expressed criticism of the Trump administration.
Also read: He brought us “Poetry in Motion”—now the music world mourns his passing at 86
The US government's actions against foreign student activists further underscore the pattern of targeting dissenting voices.
European countries have taken note of these developments, with Denmark and Finland advising caution to trans and non-binary travelers, Germany warning that a visa or entry waiver is not a guaranteed pass into the US, and the UK revising their travel advisory to highlight the consequences of breaking US entry rules.
Young is concerned about being detained or deported upon re-entering the US after his European tour, referencing recent incidents affecting critics of the Trump administration. Image source: Associated Press / Youtube.
On Tuesday, Young spoke up against what he views as “spineless” acts of enforcement.
“It seems that those who speak out freely with their own opinions are now vulnerable to a non-existent Trump law,” he expressed, “that makes it possible for you to go to jail or be detained, punished in some way for not showing allegiance to what?”
Young finished by referencing from the pledge of allegiance. “One country, indivisible, with Liberty and Freedom for all,” he said. “Remember that? I do.”
Read next: Trump teases the possibility of another political decision–"I'm not done yet."
What are your thoughts on this issue? Have you experienced or observed similar challenges to free speech? How do you think we can safeguard our right to express our opinions, regardless of political affiliation? Join the conversation below!
