October 30, 2009

Obama Lifts HIV Travel Ban

President Barack Obama announced October 30 that the 22-year-old ban on HIV-positive visitors and immigrants entering the United States will be lifted, Reuters reports. The administration will publish a final rule eliminating the travel ban on Monday, November 2. The rule will go into effect in January 2010.

“We lead the world when it comes to helping stem the AIDS pandemic—yet we are one of only a dozen countries that still bar people with HIV from entering our own country,” said Obama while signing legislation that will extend the Ryan White CARE Act through the 2013 fiscal year. “If we want to be the global leader in combating HIV/AIDS, we need to act like it.”

In a separate statement, amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research, applauded the announcement. “We’re thrilled that the ban has been lifted based on science, reason, and human rights,” said amfAR CEO Kevin Robert Frost. “Our hope is that this decision reflects a commitment to adopting more evidence-based policies when confronting the AIDS epidemic and developing a comprehensive national AIDS strategy.”

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Previous Comments:

Wes, Chicago, 2009-11-17 17:48:26
In response to SC in Orlando. GW could have lifted the ban a long time ago during his 8 year reign. Putting the process in place prior to leaving office-that is just trying to redeem himself. I'm not buying this one.

Wes, Chicago, 2009-11-17 17:46:18
In response to David from Palm Bay. I don't think we should get into the preaching of who should be sex with whom. That is each individuals choice to ask their sexual partner their status. When I go to the bar and a guy approaches me..I tell them I am poz..it saves a lot of time and I am actually thanked for letting them know.

Alex, New York, 2009-11-13 14:36:37
It is great that we have lifted the band on HIV travellers to the United States.Those who are positive and is filing for "Status of Adjustment" residency face a different problem, this too needs to be removed from our immigration laws.

Rosina, Hemel Hempstead Herts UK, 2009-11-05 19:44:18
Its been a long time coming.now maybe my daughter and myself can visit america where my son lived just before he sadly passed away and we couldnt travel there for his funeral at the time.thankyou

Vanessa, Hatfield Hertfordshire United Kingdom, 2009-11-05 19:34:15
Brilliant news.now i maybe can visit for a holiday and see where my younger brother lived just before his death in 2008

David Martin, Palm Bay, 2009-11-05 17:17:03
Well i have ben poz for going on 20 years now and i think it is everyones right to travel where they want.. But there must be something to prevent these people from having sex with negative people, what that is i dont know. The only way we are ever going to stop HIV is stop those with HIV from speading it period. How do we as a society do this with out hurting or demonizing those with hiv??? Well that is yet to be answered, i do know more education will do the trick but it will not stop it.

Maark, Vancouver, B.C. Canada, 2009-11-05 12:00:18
After two decades of sneaking my meds across the border when visiting my partner in Seattle, I can breathe easier and not risk discovery and being barred from entering the US for life. This is wonderful news. Contrary to what some Americans feel, hordes of people with HIV will NOT invade the US for treatment. It is now a good place to enjoy a vacation in!

THEISLANDER, AMSTERDAM, 2009-11-05 06:41:01
congratulation president Obama for lifting travel ban for people with hiv from comming to us. The ban was pure discrimination in the first place but we belive you Obama is reasonable human being YES WE CAN.

mark, , 2009-11-03 22:39:57
YES!!!!! Las Vegas,here I come

Yn_Fyw, Tokyo, 2009-11-03 21:54:34
Finally, the United States has removed this ridiculous barrier. It also has removed one 'hypocrisy hurdle' from its agenda. A country that espouses 'freedom' and even goes to great lengths such as war to protect those freedoms took a very long time in reaching this decision. Those who criticize Obama and praise Bush ought to remember that Bush had 8 years to remove this ban. Why did he leave it until the end of his Presidency to initiate it? It only took him a few weeks to arrange a war!

Lou, CA, 2009-11-03 14:36:03
This is not news. Two years of groundwork by the Bush Administration left Obama nothing to do but sign ... which took 10 months. This Commander in Chief has also seen the discharge of nearly 500 gay/lesbian service members under Bill Clinton's Don't Ask - Don't Tell policy.

Steve Murphy, Port Townsend, WA, 2009-11-03 11:40:41
At last. So many people are incredulous when I tell them that this country, just like China and others, forbids entry to HIV-positive people. I live near Canada and this directly affects people I know.

S.C., Orlando, FL, 2009-11-03 11:34:17
The lifting of the ban was signed by George W. I'm not a fan of W, but give credit where credit is due. The Bush administration didn't have enough time to implement the lift. This blind Obama worshipping is going to wind up biting us in the butt.

Donna, West Covina, CA, 2009-11-02 09:02:12
Thats A Wonderful step! I am happy, but I just wish they would work on reducing stigma, and encorporate better sex education just as fast as they passed this law. It does seem like things are improving though. =)

blogfather, NYC, 2009-10-31 05:16:57
Finally!