October 30, 2009

Obama Lifts HIV Travel Ban

President Barack Obama announced October 30 that the 22-year-old ban on HIV-positive visitors and immigrants entering the United States will be lifted, Reuters reports. The administration will publish a final rule eliminating the travel ban on Monday, November 2. The rule will go into effect in January 2010.

“We lead the world when it comes to helping stem the AIDS pandemic—yet we are one of only a dozen countries that still bar people with HIV from entering our own country,” said Obama while signing legislation that will extend the Ryan White CARE Act through the 2013 fiscal year. “If we want to be the global leader in combating HIV/AIDS, we need to act like it.”

In a separate statement, amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research, applauded the announcement. “We’re thrilled that the ban has been lifted based on science, reason, and human rights,” said amfAR CEO Kevin Robert Frost. “Our hope is that this decision reflects a commitment to adopting more evidence-based policies when confronting the AIDS epidemic and developing a comprehensive national AIDS strategy.”

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Previous Comments:

Marshall Sandefur, Atlanta, 2009-12-20 09:25:25
If all you listen to is one side of an argument your conclusion has already been determined. HIV has never been shown to cause AIDS. In 2008 the credit for finding the "AIDS virus" was taken from Gallo and given to Monganier. Listen to what he has to say about HIV! When are you going to get suspicious about this so called epidemic? The statistics aren't real. They are just computer generated numbers based on a belief. Even the definition of AIDS varies in different parts of the world. Wake Up!

negative, San Antonio, 2009-12-17 05:04:38
I actually hope that this bill will lead to people traveling here for treatment. I don't see anything wrong with medical tourism. I also hope that this breaks down barriers to immigration. A disease status or disability should not bar families from being together, nor should it be an obstacle to a stateside vacation.

IamStone, Mulberry, AR., 2009-12-16 13:09:15
I for one am very glad to hear about the lifting of the ban.I believed it to be a ridiculous ban to begin with when we as a country would hold world aids confrences and yet people who were poz we not allowed to enter the country to attend it.Not to mention all the people I have talked to around the world who would love to come to this country to visit and felt the only way was to lie and skulk about to get in.I am very pleased about Obama's attitude about hiv and aids.

Murph, Port Townsend, WA, 2009-12-03 14:03:39
With regard to who deserves "credit" for the decision to lift the ban - this policy dates from the Reagan presidency. Several presidents, both Republican and Democrat, have missed the opportunity to correct this short-sighted and unjust policy. There are enough partisan issues out there without this becoming one of them. It was bad policy in every way and only served to reveal the bigotry of ignorant people. Fortunately, it is now... history.

Wes, Chicago, 2009-11-17 17:48:26
In response to SC in Orlando. GW could have lifted the ban a long time ago during his 8 year reign. Putting the process in place prior to leaving office-that is just trying to redeem himself. I'm not buying this one.

Wes, Chicago, 2009-11-17 17:46:18
In response to David from Palm Bay. I don't think we should get into the preaching of who should be sex with whom. That is each individuals choice to ask their sexual partner their status. When I go to the bar and a guy approaches me..I tell them I am poz..it saves a lot of time and I am actually thanked for letting them know.

Alex, New York, 2009-11-13 14:36:37
It is great that we have lifted the band on HIV travellers to the United States.Those who are positive and is filing for "Status of Adjustment" residency face a different problem, this too needs to be removed from our immigration laws.

Rosina, Hemel Hempstead Herts UK, 2009-11-05 19:44:18
Its been a long time coming.now maybe my daughter and myself can visit america where my son lived just before he sadly passed away and we couldnt travel there for his funeral at the time.thankyou

Vanessa, Hatfield Hertfordshire United Kingdom, 2009-11-05 19:34:15
Brilliant news.now i maybe can visit for a holiday and see where my younger brother lived just before his death in 2008

David Martin, Palm Bay, 2009-11-05 17:17:03
Well i have ben poz for going on 20 years now and i think it is everyones right to travel where they want.. But there must be something to prevent these people from having sex with negative people, what that is i dont know. The only way we are ever going to stop HIV is stop those with HIV from speading it period. How do we as a society do this with out hurting or demonizing those with hiv??? Well that is yet to be answered, i do know more education will do the trick but it will not stop it.

Maark, Vancouver, B.C. Canada, 2009-11-05 12:00:18
After two decades of sneaking my meds across the border when visiting my partner in Seattle, I can breathe easier and not risk discovery and being barred from entering the US for life. This is wonderful news. Contrary to what some Americans feel, hordes of people with HIV will NOT invade the US for treatment. It is now a good place to enjoy a vacation in!

THEISLANDER, AMSTERDAM, 2009-11-05 06:41:01
congratulation president Obama for lifting travel ban for people with hiv from comming to us. The ban was pure discrimination in the first place but we belive you Obama is reasonable human being YES WE CAN.

mark, , 2009-11-03 22:39:57
YES!!!!! Las Vegas,here I come

Yn_Fyw, Tokyo, 2009-11-03 21:54:34
Finally, the United States has removed this ridiculous barrier. It also has removed one 'hypocrisy hurdle' from its agenda. A country that espouses 'freedom' and even goes to great lengths such as war to protect those freedoms took a very long time in reaching this decision. Those who criticize Obama and praise Bush ought to remember that Bush had 8 years to remove this ban. Why did he leave it until the end of his Presidency to initiate it? It only took him a few weeks to arrange a war!

Lou, CA, 2009-11-03 14:36:03
This is not news. Two years of groundwork by the Bush Administration left Obama nothing to do but sign ... which took 10 months. This Commander in Chief has also seen the discharge of nearly 500 gay/lesbian service members under Bill Clinton's Don't Ask - Don't Tell policy.