Dissolved: 22-year-old travel, immigration against those with AIDS/HIV

Photo Credit: Associated Press, Gerald Herber

President Barack Obama lifted a 22-year-old travel and immigration ban against those with HIV/AIDS today, in an attempt to eliminate a stigma against the diseased for years. Changes will take effect Monday.

Since 1987, those with the disease have been barred by the Department of Health from entering the United States, including students, refugees, and tourists. Under immigration law, those with the disease have been classified as "inadmissible."

Obama announced the change while renewing a bill to extend the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program, which provides medical care and services to nearly half a million people.

What are people saying about this issue?

Q: What does Obama think?

A: "If we want to be the global leader in combatting HIV/AIDS, we need to act like it," he said. Obama hopes to end the stigma against those with the disease and encourage more people to get tested.

Q: What does a college student think?

A: "I think it's pretty messed up to discriminate against diseased people," Michelle Oliveria, a freshman at Florida Atlantic University said. She continued, it's the same mentality as: "let's not let old people into the country since they are not assets."

Q: What do others think?

A: "Now, those families can be reunited, and the United States can put its mouth where its money is: ending the stigma that perpetuates HIV transmission, supporting science and welcoming those who seek to build a life in this country," said Executive Director of Immigration Equality, Rachel B. Tiven. Tiven says that the ban has not benefited public health.

Q: What do I think?

A: Widespread fear and ignorance regarding HIV/AIDS dominated our country in 1987, but it does not need to exist now. The ban was a 22-year-old manifestation of discrimination that did not benefit our country at all. It is time to let people with the disease know that they are welcome here.

Q: What do you think?

A: Leave a comment. You have the right for your voice to be heard. Use the list of pros and cons I have formulated below to help formulate your opinion. *Note this list is based on my opinion and is not necessarily what will or even could happen as a result of the lift on the ban*

Pros of lifting the ban:

• Ends discrimination
  
• Normalizes the disease
  
• Encourages people to immigrate to the United States
• Encourages awareness about the disease
• Promotes HIV/AIDS testing
• Supports open-minded thinking
• Places the U.S. at the global forefront in addressing the disease

Cons of lifting the ban:

• HIV/AIDS could spread more
  
• People could use the disease as an excuse to gain rights in the U.S.
• More discrimination could occur
• It could be globally counter-productive for the U.S.
• People could become more closed-minded
• An even greater stigma against people with HIV/AIDS could be developed