Thread: USA eliminates restrictions for people infected w/ HIV/AiDS

Original Spanish Version -http://www.impre.com/inmigracion/2008/7/26/personas-con-sida-podran-legal-70291-1.html

Google Translated Version -

The U.S. Congress passed a law that removes restrictions on immigration for people infected with HIV / AIDS, allowing them to gain permanent residency or obtain tourist visa.

In fact, the White House announced that President George W. Bush signed the law next Wednesday at 3:05 pm

The law, called emergency plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), which presents itself as a financing program for poor countries in Africa, Asia and the Caribbean, has its complicated language in a clause that would help thousands of infected HIV / AIDS to obtain permanent residency.

Such is the case with people like Mario, 53 years old, who by social shame and fear of federal laws did not seek medical treatment after being diagnosed with the disease more than 20 years ago.

"In 1987 I applied for amnesty. I meet all the requirements, but HIV test came out positive. Then I refused permanent residency," said Mario, a Mexican heterosexual.

Since then he has lived detained without nearby friends, and loving relationships without fear that someone will know who is HIV-positive until late April this year, when an infection forced him to go to the hospital.

"I feared that if they sought medical treatment, would affect the ability to fix my immigration status. During those years he worked, pay my taxes every year, I am a person of good moral character," said Mario, who still do not feel comfortable admitting publicly that he is HIV positive.

Mario said he was very happy that at long last has the hope of legalizing their status and end the anonymity of being undocumented.

Oscar de la O, director of Welfare (a nonprofit organization that helps people with HIV / AIDS), said that this legislation will help remove the stigma and fear with which undocumented immigrants live infected.

"Although the policy that was adopted is not perfect, generally provide the medicines needed to save many lives. We are particularly excited to see that immigration law denying visas and permanent residence to people with HIV will be finally eliminated," said De la O .

He noted that this is a good opportunity to improve the health and welfare sector of the Latino community affected by HIV.

The chairman of the House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi, stressed that the world will benefit legislation to provide medicines and promoting abstinence in poor countries with high infection rates.

"Working together with the Bush Administration and the Committee of ownership, we have succeeded in providing nearly 1.5 million antiviral treatment, care counseling to nearly 6.7 million people, including three million orphans and vulnerable children, and helping prevention over more than 150 thousand children, "Pelosi said through a communique.

The supervisor Michael Antonovich, who has been characterized by noting the alleged cost of undocumented immigration in the U.S. standard of living, refused to comment on the law, merely noting that the burden could be for the Department of Health.

"We are not opposed to legal immigration, but the public burden of illegal immigration. In this case would have to see the impact it could have for residents," said Tony Bell, spokesman for the Supervisor Antonovich.

For his part, De la O hopes that the U.S. is the official headquarters of the World Summit on AIDS, held every two years in a different country. This year will be held in Mexico.

"The United States has never been the venue of the summit because the legislation prohibiting HIV-positive people obtain visas. Now this will change and we hope to have meetings where we can learn from other experiences," said De la O.

While PEPFAR ending process to become law, Mario continues to live in what he calls "hiding" from his illness and his immigration status.

"I see a glimmer of hope. I hope we can soon fix my immigration status," he said.

Oh my God! I have no other comment because I am too horrified to say anything. Well, what's next--leprosy?

BEHAVE AND BECAREFUL

Where is the fiscal note attached to this measure that shows how much this will cost US taxpayers? Where is the CDC reports on estimates on how much this measure will increase the spread of HIV inside of America?

Who did and did not vote for this measure?

W

They are doing anything now to bring down our culture. They want to speed up the invasion. They have a deadline to meet. I guess if they meet that deadline, there will be a bonus. Who's 'they', you say? Your own friggin government. WAKE UP!

Good point ALIPAC. But I am sure all those statistics you mentioned to be revealed are either "executive privilege" or something about "national security." I think the American Dream has become not a car, couple kids and a dog in the yard, but just trying to find out what is happening to this country.

"I feared that if they sought medical treatment, would affect the ability to fix my immigration status. During those years he worked, pay my taxes every year, I am a person of good moral character," said Mario, who still do not feel comfortable admitting publicly that he is HIV positive.

I hope atleast he has the decency to admit in private what his condition is so it's not spread to others. It's frighteming since so many are so ignorant about their body.....let alone a devistating disease such as this.

I would say this is amazingly stupid but I think that is an understatement.

That my friends is going to cost the American people every last cent...literally

Originally Posted by Rockfish

They are doing anything now to bring down our culture. They want to speed up the invasion. They have a deadline to meet. I guess if they meet that deadline, there will be a bonus. Who's 'they', you say? Your own friggin government. WAKE UP!

I agree with you...Taking down our culture is all being done by design. But I don't understand the evil in the people who are wanting to do this to us though? May they rot in hell!