Blind Prophecy

Today is World AIDS Day.

I could quote statistics or tell deeply personal stories about how AIDS impacts us all, but I’d rather do something else. This year, I’m going to make one simple request.

Last year President Bush promised to fix the problems with allowing HIV+ people into the country. Currently, only 13 countries deny admission to HIV-positive people: the United States, Iraq, China, Saudi Arabia, Libya, Sudan, Qatar, Brunei, Oman, Moldova, Russia, Armenia, and South Korea. Instead of fixing the actual problem (the ban itself) the Department of Homeland Security has written new rules around the application for a waiver in the ban (which is needed if you’re a foreign national changing planes in New York on a London-Toronto trip). The new rules have been denounced by many AIDS activists as being even more draconian and further stigmatizes people with HIV. Rather than allowing case-by-case evaluation, the new rules try to force applicants meet certain requirements and pledge not transmit infection while here. They also cause problems for asylum-seekers who are HIV-positive.

To help change the law, please take a few minutes to call your Congressional representatives and voice your opinion. The Congressional Switchboard is (202) 224-3121. Or you can call your representative’s local office.

The call will only take a few moments as the staff only wants to hear your position, not a well-reasoned argument. A typical call goes something like this: “Hello, I’m a constituent and I want to register my opinion. Please tell _________ that I oppose any immigration restrictions based on HIV status, I oppose the new Department of Homeland Security rules for a waiver on the ban, and I want the ban on HIV-positive visitors or immigrants to the United States ended.” The staff is doing their job properly if they ask for your name and address.

Until December 6, you can submit comments to the Department of Homeland Security about the new regulations online at www.regulations.gov, or by mail sent to: Border Security Regulations Branch, Customs and Border Protection, 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW. (MintAnnex), Washington, DC 20229

Filed under: news by Jere Keys