Obama Administration May Lift Ban on HIV+ Travel and Immigration

Timothy Kincaid

September 24th, 2009

During the waning days of the Bush Administration, the President came to recognize that the country’s ban on travel and immigration for HIV positive persons was counter-productive and cruel. And, in a rare moment of compassion, he shepherded a bill through Congress allowing Health and Human Services to remove the ban.

Sadly, this change was included in the blanket reversal of last-minute policies when President Obama took office. But now it appears that the ban may finally be lifted. (Miami Herald)

Yesterday, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services issues a memo which instructs USCIS officers to place a hold on any green card applications which would otherwise be denied simply due to the applicant\’s HIV status. The hold is pending release of the final HHS rule change which will completely eliminate the ban.

The memo signals that the administration is very close to final repeal of the ban, and is now instructing agencies to be ready for the change. USCIS is clearly expecting guidance from HHS very soon, and has decided to hold applications by HIV-positive applicants rather than deny them, as the new rule will no longer prohibit their entry into the country.

Richard W. Fitch

September 24th, 2009

It may be just a crumb, but it is a start. Now if the Obama adminstration can work it up to a slice, by the end of 8 years we may get the whole loaf.

Howie

September 24th, 2009

finally the sensibilities seems to shifting, let’s hope it goes thru so persons who may need special 2nd and 3rd line treatments can access them in the US.

Also for specific healthcare reasons as well

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