Neil Young Says U.S. Citizenship Application Delayed By Marijuana Use

In October, ImmigrationProf reported that music legend and Canadian native Neil Young had petitioned for naturalization.  Born in Canada, Young has been a lawful permanent resident since 1970.

Rolling Stone now reports that a snag has developed in the citizenship process.  According to the Rolling Stone, Young has revealed that his attempts to attain U.S. citizenship before the 2020 presidential election has been delayed in part due to the “good moral character” requirement for naturalization.

“I want to be a dual citizen and vote. When I recently applied for American citizenship, I passed the test. It was a conversation where I was asked many questions. I answered them truthfully and passed,” the rocker wrote Friday on his Neil Young Archives’ site. “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.”

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services’  has taken the position that there may be “good moral character” issues for lawful permant resident’s who have engaged in “certain marijuana related activities.”  For discussion of the issue, see the analysis on this post of Canna Law Blog.

Young’s naturalization could turn out to be complicated.  It would not be the first time that a rocker has encountered U.S. immigration problems, with the Beattle’s John Lennon, who faced removal for a previous cannibis resin conviction, is perhaps the most famous example.

KJ