Hiv/aids Immigration Ban Finally Lifted

HIV/AIDS IMMIGRATION BAN FINALLY LIFTEDHIV/AIDS stigma. Now with more welcoming laws in
In 1987, in the midst of worldwide fear and panicplace, the U.S. will be hosting a bi-annual global HIV
over the AIDS epidemic, the U.S. set in place anAIDS summit in 2012.
immigration ban to prevent anyone with AIDS fromThe ban has prevented travelers, tourists, potential
entering the country. This drastic measure was takenimmigrants, from entering the country. It has also
largely a result of the erroneous belief that HIV/AIDSprevented international adoption of children with the
could be transmitted through physical contact. Thevirus. From now on, no one will be required to
U.S. was one of a short list of 12 countries thatundergo the HIV/AIDS test to determine their
banned those with the virus.eligibility to enter the country.
Twenty-two years later, the ban has finally beenAdvocates say that the ban has discouraged
lifted. On October 30th 2009 the President signed theforeign-born residents living in the U.S. from being
Ryan White HIV/AIDS Treatment Extension Act oftested or seeking medical treatment for HIV/AIDS. If
2009. This was the final step in a process that beganthis is the case, these individuals will now be free to
under the Bush administration. The law's standardseek treatment without fear of losing their
60-day waiting period ended early this month and theimmigration status simply for having the virus.
Act is now officially in effect.Now with the strings of hypocrisy untied, the Obama
President Obama said the ban was incompatible withadministration is free to pursue the mandate of the
U.S. efforts to lead the way in fighting the disease.Ryan White HIV/AIDS Treatment Extension Act of
Unquestionably, reaching out a hand to help others is2009 which is to provide ongoing commitment to
difficult when you are holding the door shut with theensuring access to much needed HIV/AIDS care and
other hand. The ban was serving to perpetuate thetreatment.