U.S. ban on HIV patients lifted
Martin Rooney fought for years to have a U.S. ban lifted preventing people with HIV/AIDS from entering the States.
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Updated: November 03, 2009 8:53 AM
A ban on U.S. travel imposed on people with HIV/AIDS was lifted as of Friday morning, as President Barack Obama signed the Ryan White CARE Act.
Free travel across the border is expected to occur for HIV positive people in 45 to 60 days.
Surrey's Martin Rooney helped draw the issue to the public attention after he was blocked entry to the U.S. in November, 2007. After trying to enter the States for a shopping trip, he was asked if he had HIV, was interrogated for three hours and sent home.
The prohibition for people with HIV/AIDS was introduced by the Reagan administration more than 20 years ago.
On Friday (Oct. 30) morning, Obama indicated the decision was made before all the facts about AIDS and HIV were known.
“Twenty-two years ago, in a decision rooted in fear rather than fact, the United States instituted a travel ban on entry into the country for people living with HIV/AIDS," Obama said at the signing. "Now, we talk about reducing the stigma of this disease – yet we’ve treated a visitor living with it as a threat. We lead the world when it comes to helping stem the AIDS pandemic – yet we are one of only a dozen countries that still bar people from HIV from entering our own country."
The Ryan White CARE Act is named for a 13-year-old boy from Indiana who contracted HIV from a blood transfusion.
“It would have been easy for Ryan and his family to stay quiet and to fight the illness in private," Obama said. "But what Ryan showed was the same courage and strength that so many HIV-positive activists have shown over the years..."
Rooney is pleased his battle with the U.S. is finally over.
"A two-year fight, and now, in six weeks time, I'll be able to go in (to the U.S.)," Rooney said. "Who knows what fight will be next?"
kdiakiw@surreyleader.com
