US entry ban lifted for those with HIV

[Elphaba]

Obama lifts ban on US entry for those with HIV

WASHINGTON (AP) - President Barack Obama is lifting the United States' travel ban for those who are HIV-positive.

Obama said Friday that the order will be finalized on Monday, completing a process begun during the Bush administration. The U.S. has been one of only about a dozen countries that bar entry to travelers based on their HIV status. The ban has been in place for over 20 years.

The announcement came during Obama's signing of an extension of the Ryan White HIV/AIDS bill.

At a small ceremony at the White House, Obama signed legislation that authorizes the program created in 1990 to continue. The government's Ryan White program provides medical care, medication and support services to about a half a million people, most low-income.

Andrew Sullivan is a writer who blogs The Daily Dish. He is from England but has lived in the US for a long time (I'm not sure how long.) He is also gay and has HIV. The following is his post about the ban lift, which I find very poignant.

The president just announced that as of Monday, the ban on HIV-positive visitors, tourists and immigrants will formally come to an end. There are 60 days before the new rule comes into effect. But after that, people with HIV will be treated in exactly the same way as any other person with a serious illness - according to science, not politics, and following the logic of reason, not fear.

The ban has been in existence for 22 years, pioneered by Jesse Helms, resisted by the first Bush, signed into law by Bill Clinton, legislatively repealed by George W. Bush and now administratively ended by Barack Obama. In an age when bipartisanship is out of fashion, the repeal was led by Gordon Smith and John Kerry, with backing from many Republicans and Democrats. The work of staffers - Rob Epplin and Alex Nunez, in particular - was invaluable. The support of Immigration Equality was vital. The lobbying of HRC was an important late development. The readers of the Dish also helped raise awareness of this and emailed Congress to move it forward. It means a huge amount to many people unknown to you and me but struggling in ways you and I cannot truly imagine. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

For me, it is the end of 16 years of profound insecurity. Like many others, my application for permanent residence and citizenship can go forward. And I will be able to see my family again in England and know that my HIV will not force me to choose between my husband and the country I have come to call my home. There is no price to be put on that.

Elphaba

[Just_A_Guy]

I'm not sure what I think about this. The idea of knowingly allowing sick people in the US for anything other than medical treatment makes me skittish; but I agree that foreigners with HIV shouldn't be treated differently than foreigners with any other communicable disease. So, to that end--well done, Mr. President.