Homeland Security seeks to further restrict travel by HIV positive passengers

[katia]

Homeland Security seeks to further restrict travel by HIV positive passengers

http://miamiherald.typepad.com/gaysouthflorida/2007/11/homeland-securi.html
11/15/2007

'The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued proposed regulations which purport to offer a "streamlined," "categorical" waiver for HIV-positive visitors from other countries.  Under current immigration law, any foreign national who tests positive for HIV is "inadmissible," meaning he is barred from permanent residence and even short term travel in the United States.  There are waivers available to this rule, but obtaining them has always been difficult.'

[Keira]

Why not brand them with the scarlet letter too...

What would be the purpose of this?

Unless they're accusing these people purposely
spreading HIV, which is already covered in the criminal
code for the 0.1% of HIV people who do it.

[Enigma]

Its a throw back to the early 80s when no one really knew how HIV was spread.  Seen as a possible public health crisis, HIV+ foreigners were summarily banned.  The Red Cross enacted an equally ridculous exclusion along the same lines from banning men who've had sex with men even if it was just ONE TIME (and there are tons of 12 y/o boys that should be banned then if that's the case).

Despite every other major blood donation program dropping the exclusion, the ARC insists on holding on to it, yet won't ever give a complete answer as to why.