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Neil Young, the musician known for his outspoken critiques, is concerned about the possibility of being barred from entering the United States after his upcoming European tour this year. In a recent statement, Young, who holds dual Canadian-American citizenship, expressed his fears of being detained or prevented from entering the US, inspired by his public criticism of Donald Trump. These concerns come in the wake of a number of individuals, who have voiced their opinions against the Trump administration, being detained or deported upon arrival in the US, under the guise of vague visa issues.
On his website, Neil Young Archives, the 79-year-old musician disclosed his concerns regarding the recent incidents of people being detained or deported upon entering the US due to their critical views towards the Trump administration. These incidents often pointed to non-specific visa problems, but have particularly targeted individuals who have publicly criticized or shown their dissent through messages on their phones to immigration officers.
Young’s fears have increased after watching the rising number of people, including a UK punk band and a French scientist, being detained and denied entry into the US due to charges linked to their critical expressions against the Trump administration. These actions by the government have raised concerns among artists and citizens alike about freedom of speech and the fear of being banned from re-entering the country.
Recalling his upcoming June and July European tour, Young highlighted the potential repercussions on those who have bought tickets for his concerts, indicating that such an event could prevent him from performing his US tour. This statement questions the current state of freedom of speech in the US, and the consequences thatCritics of the current United States’ policies may face.
Neil Young has previously shown strong opposition towards Trump. In 2015, Young expressed his disapproval of Trump using his song “Rockin’ In the Free World” during a campaign launch. Young later filed a lawsuit to stop Trump from using his music. Following his acquisition of US citizenship in 2020, Young penned an open letter proclaiming Trump as a “disgrace to his country,” solidifying his stance against the former president.
Young recently expressed his concerns over the treatment of critics of the Trump administration, asserting that if the mere idea of criticizing the president meant being denied entry into the US, it would certainly raise questions about the state of freedom of speech within the country. He advocated for the principle of freedom of speech, encouraging people to remember and uphold the concepts of liberty and freedom for all.
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Source: https://www.theguardian.com/music/2025/apr/02/neil-young-fears-us-ban-donald-trump-criticism
