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Immigration was never an easy prospect for the would-be immigrant. And today it is an all but impossible one for all too many dreaming of a new life in America. But there was a time not so long ago when congressional action was able to deliver a safe and legal arrival in America, and much of the credit for that goes to a former member of Congress, Bruce Morrison.

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.

In their latest podcast episode, Dave Byrne of Digital Irish speaks with Elaine Brennan about the Bruce Morrison Legacy Initiative, a project dedicated to preserving these powerful immigration stories and celebrating the lasting impact of Congressman Bruce Morrison’s work.

In their latest podcast, Digital Irish speaks with Feargal O'Sullivan, CEO of USAM Group and a proud Morrison Visa recipient. Feargal’s journey is a masterclass in reinvention, from experimenting with music tech to building systems at the NYSE, and eventually launching a successful sales acceleration firm for fintech startups.

Feargal O'Sullivan, a Morrison Legacy Visa holder and Board Member, talks to Conall Ó'Móráin on That Great Business Show about the Gale event happening in the Rainbow Room on October 1 and how listeners can get involved. 

Today, we hear the story of an American congressman who changed the lives of thousands of Irish people, the foundation created to honor his legacy, and the big event this fall that will celebrate that legacy.

Elaine Brennan was in London in 1994 when her mother phoned to say she’d won the lottery. Not the Lotto, you understand, although almost as lucrative and life-changing. It was the lottery for Morrison visas, which allowed about 45,000 Irish people to live and work in the United States at a time when the economy here was ailing. (Photo: Frank McGrath)

We had a powerful conversation about the Bruce Morrison legacy Foundation and being a Morrison Visa recipient herself, Elaine shared her unique perspective on the program's 30year impact, its lasting contribution to Irish-American life, and how the foundation is honoring its legacy, and Bruce Morrison himself on Oct 1st at an upcoming Gala at the Rainbow Room in NYC later this year.

If you were a recipient of the Morrison Visa Program a new website telling the stories of those who went stateside between 1992 and 1995 will be of interest. The Morrison Legacy Foundation launched the website to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Morrison Visa Program and they are hoping that local visa recipients might also share their stories.

Elaine Brennan of The Morrison Legacy Foundation spoke to Jerry as this year marks the 30th anniversary of the Morrison Visas, which benefited 45,000 migrants from across the island of Ireland who came to the USA in the 1990s.The Morrison Legacy Foundation has launched its official website, www.morrisonlegacy.com.

The Morrison Legacy Foundation is proud to announce the launch of its official website, www.morrisonlegacy.com, dedicated to commemorating the 30th anniversary of the Morrison Visa Program. This landmark initiative, active from 1992 to 1995, granted approximately 45,000 visas, to immigrants from the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, profoundly influencing the Irish-American community.

Former U.S. Rep. Bruce Morrison (D-New Haven) led the writing and passage of the Immigration Act of 1990, one of only two major immigration bills in American history to increase legal immigration. At the Institution for Social and Policy Studies last month, he drew on his experience and knowledge of Congress to describe how to overcome the current inability to produce new legislation addressing who can come to the United States and what to do with the millions of unauthorized people who are already here.