Adrian Gilmore

In 1992, I received my green card. At the time, I was living in San Francisco but ultimately settled in Orlando, Florida.

“I was a second-year law student at Trinity College Dublin, struggling through a rough patch following the unexpected death of my father.”

I didn’t know exactly what I needed, but I knew I needed a major change. As a child, I had caddied in Ballybunion, Co. Kerry, where I met many Americans. They were always so kind, positive, and encouraging, leaving a lasting impression on me about America, one that I would later act upon.

Seven months after moving to America at the age of 20, I made a major move from New York to Florida, simply because I couldn’t afford winter clothes. By pure chance, I ran into a childhood friend from Ballybunion who was boat-sitting a 100ft+ sailboat for a mega-celebrity. He let me live on it with him for a while. I was broke, still finding my way, but at least I was living on George Harrison’s (The Beatle) luxury sailboat in Florida. Not bad!

Beyond having no family or close friends, the biggest challenge I faced was finding high-quality work and getting established without a green card. After moving to New York in 1987, I eventually obtained my green card in 1992, and it completely changed my life.

“The United States, despite its imperfections, remains the greatest land of opportunity in the world.”

I was able to build an incredibly rewarding career, develop lifelong friendships, and become the proud father of two amazing children, now 27 and 23, who will undoubtedly make their own positive impact in the world.

The Morrison Visa changed everything for me. It gave me the opportunity to build a life and, in turn, impact many other lives in a positive way. I can’t put into words the difference it made, it meant EVERYTHING!