Credit: dhlovelifeCanadian folk-rock legend Neil Young has become a U.S. citizen.
Neil confirmed the happy news on his Neil Young Archives website, posting a photo of himself saluting an American flag by a sign that reads “DEMOCRATS REGISTER TO VOTE HERE.” The pic is captioned, “I’m Happy To Report I’m In.”
According to Page Six, a smiling Young was photographed in Los Angeles after taking the oath on Wednesday, flashing his citizenship papers in one hand and waving a small American flag in the other as his wife, actress Daryl Hannah, walked alongside him.
Young reported in November that his bid for U.S. citizenship, which he’d expected to be confirmed that month, had been delayed because of his use of marijuana.
“I want to be a dual citizen and vote. When I recently applied for American citizenship, I passed the test,” he wrote in a message posted on his website. “Recently however, I have been told I must do another test, due to my use of marijuana and how some people who smoke it have exhibited a problem.”
Neil then noted that the supposed issue he faced regarding marijuana use was due to a U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services policy alert that was added in April 2019, and that includes the following: “An applicant who is involved in certain marijuana related activities may lack GMC [good moral character] if found to have violated federal law, even if such activity is not unlawful under applicable state or foreign laws.”
Young added, “I sincerely hope I have exhibited good moral character and will be able to vote my conscience on Donald J. Trump and his fellow American candidates, (as yet un-named).”
Young, a vocal critic of Trump, now apparently will have the chance to vote in the next U.S. presidential election.
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