U.S. Will Lift Travel Ban Against HIV Positive People

HIV infection is the only medical condition explicitly listed in the immigration regulations as a basis for inadmissibility in the U.S.  That will end soon because President Obama said today that the U.S. plans to overturn a 22-year-old travel and immigration ban against people with HIV.  In the beginning of January 2010, the ban will be lifted and HIV positive people will finally be able to visit the U.S. or lawfully immigrate here.

For over 20 years, HIV positive people were denied entry visas as well as the right to apply for permanent residence.  The U.S. has been alone among the Western democracies to have this type of ban.  The ban is a throwback to a Department of Health & Human Services ruling from 1987 that occurred at the height of ignorance and paranoia about HIV and AIDS.  The ban has prevented thousands of visitors, students, and asylum seekers from entering the country.  Many people currently in the U.S. who have HIV have been prevented from leaving the country out of fear of being banned from returning.

According to an immigration advocacy group, the 11 other countries which continue to ban HIV-positive travelers and immigrants are: Armenia, Brunei, Iraq, Libya, Moldova, Oman, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Korea and Sudan.

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