Australian pro motocross racer Jarryd McNeil applied for a U.S. Green Card in 2022. Despite meeting all other criteria—including having an American wife and child—he was denied because he refused to get the COVID-19 vaccine. After he posted about his denial on social media, he was able to connect with ICAN for help. ICAN is pleased to announce that Jarryd has finally received his Green Card! Additionally, the Trump administration has now lifted the COVID-19 vaccine mandate for immigrants applying for residency from within the U.S.
Lead Counsel, Aaron Siri, Esq., lays out the details here:
Jarryd is a professional freestyle motocross (FTX) racer who has won nine gold medals in the X Games. He grew up in Australia but has lived in the United States on an employment visa since 2010. He is married to a U.S. citizen, and they had one child together when he first applied for residency, with a new baby girl joining them since then.
When Jarryd first applied for a Green Card (otherwise known as a Permanent Resident Card), his prior attorney failed to inform him about his right to apply for a religious/moral waiver to vaccination. He was notified in May 2023 that his application had been denied and that he had just 33 days to leave the country because he did not provide evidence that he had received the COVID-19 vaccine. Luckily for him, his social media followers got him connected with ICAN and then, ICAN’s lawyers, led by Aaron Siri.
With ICAN’s assistance, Jarryd was able to delay leaving the country, file the waiver paperwork, and get both the vaccine waiver and his residency applications approved. When he finally received his Green Card in the mail, he was visibly moved to tears and called it his “biggest win yet.” Congratulations, Jarryd!
ICAN is also thrilled to report that this should no longer happen to others like Jarryd: President Trump has rescinded the COVID-19 vaccine mandate for all immigrant applicants applying for adjustment of status from within the U.S.! As of January 22, 2025, no legal immigrant in the U.S. will have to go through what Jarryd did when it comes to COVID-19 vaccination. While other immigration vaccine requirements remain in effect, removing the COVID-19 requirement is a great step in the right direction.
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