October 29, 2009

HIV Travel Ban Might Be Coming to an End

The rule denying HIV-positive foreigners from entering the United States will soon be overturned, according to LGBT and HIV advocacy group Immigration Equality as reported by the South Florida Blade.

Last summer, then President George W. Bush signed into law a measure to remove the HIV travel restriction as part of the reauthorization of the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief. However, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has not yet put it into effect.

But Immigration Equality spokesperson Steve Ralls said the “repeal is imminent,” with the rule moving from HHS to the White House Office of Management & Budget, which will announce the policy change officially.

“Our expectation is the publication will happen very soon,” Ralls said. “And following a potential short window between publication and implementation, the HIV travel and immigration ban will be a thing of the past.”

Search: travel ban, George W. Bush, Immigration Equality, Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Management & Budget

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Previous Comments:

Hillel, Los Angeles, 2009-10-30 15:16:56
It just did!

Donna =), west covina, ca, 2009-10-30 04:48:36
I think they should include a law that says that viral loads should be under managed condition before entering the country so there is a lower risk of transmission. This is a good law though, I like it, and I really hope it comes into play but I do think we still need a few restrictions to keep everything in check. =)

GD, , 2009-10-29 17:42:54
I'll believe it when I see this outrageous discrimination (yet another in the so-called biggest Western democracy, the last one to also execute its citizens and foreign nationals) abolished! GD