"The Morrison visa didn’t just bring me to the U.S., it opened the door to a life filled with opportunity, family, and legacy."
In the summer of 1994, I arrived in New York with $500 in traveler’s checks, a one-way ticket, and a dream. The Soccer World Cup was in full swing and so was my pursuit of a better life. Thanks to the Morrison visa, I had a chance. That was everything.
I slept on a worn-out sofa in my aunt’s apartment in Queens and found my first job bartending within a week. The hours were long, the pay modest but it gave me purpose, and just enough to get by.
“Through the support of the Irish diaspora and years of persistence, I built a 27-year career in commercial real estate, and more importantly, a life.”
I met my American wife at the Fitzpatrick Hotel in Midtown Manhattan, and we’ve raised four wonderful children who are proud of their Irish roots. They now dream of representing Ireland in the Lacrosse Olympics in 2028.
Looking back, I’m overwhelmed with gratitude. The Morrison visa didn’t just bring me to the U.S. it opened the door to a life filled with opportunity, family, and legacy.
Thank you, Bruce Morrison, for helping so many of us chase the American dream.
From that sofa in Queens to a home full of love and laughter I’ll never stop being thankful.
Your experience is a part of the Morrison Legacy. Whether it’s about the opportunities the Morrison Visa created or the connections it fostered, your experience helps celebrate the lasting impact of this program on the Irish-American community. Join us in preserving this incredible legacy by sharing your journey today.
