A New Era of Privacy

On January 5th the United States dropped its name from the list of thirteen countries who restrict entry of HIV-positive visitors. According to the Global Database on HIV-related Travel Restrictions,the United States had previously been in the company of such countries as China, Russia, Sudan, UAE, and Korea. The website was created in Germany based on questionnaires the German government sent out to 130 embassies within its borders. It provides a comprehensive data base of the level of restriction each country imposes on a visitor whose status is positive.

The ban on HIV-positive travel was introduced in 1987 when the Center for Disease Control listed HIV as a disease of public health significance. Diseases of this category forbid immigrants and visitors from entering the country.

The new legislation was enabled by former president George W. Bush's signing of the United States Global Leadership Initiative Against HIV/AIDS, which removed HIV from the list of mandated diseases that barred entry to the USA. Mandatory testing will no longer be part of the immigration process. According to a CNN.com interview with Steve Ralls, spokesman for the Immigration Equality organization, "The end of the HIV travel and immigration ban is the beginning of a new life for countless families and thousands who had been separated because of this policy."

HIV was not removed from the list of communicable diseases of public health significance, which continues to create a more complicated procedure for obtaining a visa. Persons carrying antiretroviral drugs must have a doctor's certificate in English describing the purpose of the drugs. Though seldom enforced, this rule actually pertains to anyone carrying prescription meds into the country.

In the words of amFAR, the foundation for AIDS research, “We’re thrilled that the ban has been lifted based on science, reason, and human rights.” With such proposals out there as stamping peoples passports with their status, the fight to destigmatize HIV may be far from over.