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Senate Passes PEPFAR Reauthorization Legislations
Congress Moves Closer to Lifting the HIV-Related Travel Ban
New York – Last night, the U.S. Senate preserved language to lift the discriminatory HIV-related entry ban through reauthorization of the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). The Senate version of PEPFAR II (S2731) removes a ban on HIV-positive non-citizens gaining immigration status and travel visas originally proposed by the late Sen. Jesse Helms (R-NC) and codified in 1992. Until the final call to pass the bill, conservative policymakers threatened to propose amendments to strike the language that lifts the ban.
"We are thrilled to see the Senate recognize that the time has come to repeal this archaic, discriminatory policy," said Marjorie J. Hill, PhD, Chief Executive Officer of Gay Men’s Health Crisis. "We urge the House and Senate conferees to maintain the repeal of the HIV entry ban when they finalize a bill, and the President to keep his promise to pass a robust PEPFAR reauthorization this summer," added Dr. Hill.
The Senate action to repeal the HIV entry ban is in keeping with international momentum toward policies based on human rights and public health. At the United Nations High-level Meeting on AIDS in June, HIV-related travel restrictions in a handful of countries worldwide drew sharp criticism from participating officials and civil society. Meanwhile, civil society organizations from around the world joined a letter of protest to the permanent missions of countries with restrictions, including the U.S.
In August, the International AIDS Conference will be held in Mexico. Although HIV-positive people transiting through the U.S. can apply for a special waiver process, the restriction complicates travel to our southern neighbor for the people who most need access to the conference. The restriction, if not repealed through PEPFAR, will be a target for advocates at the conference.
"The Senate has recognized that public health requires eradicating the stigma faced by people with HIV/AIDS – and that change begins at home," said Rachel B. Tiven, Esq., Executive Director of Immigration Equality. "Once President Bush signs the bill with this language intact, U.S. immigration policy will finally reflect this country’s position as a global AIDS leader."
In addition to lifting the travel ban, the Senate deserves praise for bringing the embattled bill to the floor and for approving funding at $48 billion annually, overcoming proposals to make severe cuts. This PEPFAR reauthorization process continues to bring the government closer to a more reasonable and sustainable U.S. foreign policy on AIDS.
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Gay Men's Health Crisis (GMHC) is a not-for-profit, volunteer-supported and community-based organization committed to national leadership in the fight against AIDS. We provide services and programs to over 15,000 men, women and families that are living with or affected by HIV/AIDS in New York City, and outreach and education to hundreds of thousands throughout the world.
Immigration Equality is a national organization that works to end discrimination in U.S. immigration law, to reduce the negative impact of that law on the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and HIV-positive people, and to help obtain asylum for those persecuted in their home country based on their sexual orientation, transgender identity or HIV-status.
© 2008 Gay Men's Health Crisis
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