This New York celebration will take a look back at the legislative milestone that provided a pathway for thousands of Irish immigrants to build new lives in the US.
The Morrison Visa Program, enacted under the Immigration Act of 1990, created a specific visa allocation over a three-year period for nationals from countries that were underrepresented in US immigration. A significant portion of these visas (40%) were specifically designated for Irish immigrants from both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.
Over the program’s duration, 45,000 of these designated visas were successfully secured by Irish applicants, providing a legal pathway for them to establish new lives in America. The contributions of these visa recipients have since resonated across various sectors, including business, education, and the arts, while also strengthening the ties between the US and Ireland.
The celebration will be a central event in a series of initiatives organized by the newly formed Morrison Legacy Foundation. This non-profit organization is dedicated to preserving the history of the Morrison Visa Program and celebrating its profound impact. Its mission includes documenting the contributions of visa recipients, analyzing the program’s socioeconomic impact on both the United States and Ireland, and fostering deeper transatlantic connections through cultural, educational, and business initiatives.
