Riley Gaines, the former NCAA swimmer who gained national attention for her opposition to transgender athletes in women’s sports, is facing an unexpected personal battle—one that has nothing to do with swimming. Her husband, Louis Barker, a former University of Kentucky swimmer from England, is struggling to secure his green card. And the reason? The COVID-19 vaccine. Despite being legally in the United States, married to an American citizen, and having spent thousands of dollars exploring the complex immigration system, Barker has found himself stuck in limbo because of his refusal to get vaccinated.
Green Card Battle: Riley Gaines Fights to Keep Husband Louis Barker From Being Deported
Riley Gaines’ husband, Louis Barker, whom she married in 2022, risks deportation because his green card application was delayed over vaccine requirements. Despite being legally married, Barker remains in limbo due to strict immigration policies.
The couple, who met in 2019 while competing for the Kentucky Wildcats, tied the knot in 2022. Now, after nearly three years of marriage, Barker still doesn’t have his green card. Riley took to social media to express her frustration, revealing that the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has repeatedly denied his application due to his vaccination status. “Just got another letter from USCIS saying they won’t give my husband his green card until he gets the Covid jab,” she wrote. “This is ridiculous. We’ve spent thousands for the submitted forms to expire on their time. We’re hoping for change soon.”
Her post quickly gained traction, drawing attention from both supporters and critics. Some accused Barker of being in the country illegally, to which Riley responded, “Before anyone says ‘Oh so your husband is an illegal?!? He should be deported!!!’ He’s very much here legally. Just no green card.” The situation shows a frustrating reality for many legal immigrants—strict bureaucratic policies can create roadblocks even for those following the process correctly.
Adding fuel to the fire, Riley Gaines pointed out what she sees as hypocrisy in U.S. immigration policy. In a video posted online, she vented her frustration, stating, “In the year 2024, you have to have the under-researched, ineffective Covid vaccine to enter into this country legally… Notice I said legally, because our government does not require illegal immigrants to have the Covid vaccine.” Her words resonated with many who share her views on immigration policy, particularly in conservative circles.
The controversy took another turn when Elon Musk, the billionaire entrepreneur and newly appointed co-leader of Donald Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency, amplified Riley’s concerns. Musk reposted her video on X (formerly Twitter), writing, “Legal immigration to America is ridiculously slow & difficult, even for super talented people. Needs to be fixed.”
The tech mogul, an immigrant himself, has been vocal about the need for a more efficient legal immigration process, contrasting it with what he calls the “trivial and fast” path for illegal immigrants. Riley Gaines eagerly joined the conversation, agreeing with Musk’s take and stressing that her husband’s case is just one example of a broader problem.
Despite the hurdles, there may be hope on the horizon. On January 22, 2025, the Trump administration announced that it would eliminate the COVID-19 vaccine requirement for green card applicants. According to the new policy, “Effective Jan. 22, 2025, USCIS is waiving any and all requirements that applicants for adjustment of status to that of a lawful permanent resident present documentation on their Form I-693, Report of Immigration Medical Examination and Vaccination Record, that they received the COVID-19 vaccination.”
This means that moving forward, green card applicants will no longer be denied for failing to provide proof of vaccination. While this decision has been welcomed by many, it remains unclear how it will affect those whose applications were previously denied or delayed due to the requirement.
Legal immigration to America is ridiculously slow & difficult, even for super talented people. Needs to be fixed.
pic.twitter.com/h65o4ShPgX
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) November 21, 2024
For now, Riley Gaines and Louis Barker are left waiting to see how this change will impact their situation. They recently attended the Inaugural Ball together, signaling their continued involvement in political discussions. Riley, who has amassed a following of over 1.4 million on X and more than 500,000 on Instagram, has turned her husband’s immigration struggle into yet another rallying point in her broader advocacy for conservative policies. Whether this shift in policy will finally allow Louis Barker to secure his green card remains to be seen, but one thing is certain—Riley won’t stop fighting until he does.
