Thursday, July 17, 2008

Legislative Action, Netroots Reaction Needed


The Senate is expected to vote later today or tomorrow on two amendments that would strike a provision in the PEPFAR Aids relief bill that would repeal the HIV ground of inadmissibility.

American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) members are lobbying to try to preserve this important provision in the bill. So should we --


Hello, I am constituent from xxx .

I am writing to encourage you to support the appeal of the Ban on HIV+visitors to the US.The Senate is expected to vote later today or tomorrow on two amendmentsthat would strike a provision in the PEPFAR Aids relief bill that wouldrepeal the HIV ground of inadmissibility.

This is not just a problem for the prospective applicant for admission to visit or live in the US. It is a big problem for US Citizens that liveabroad and what to visit home with their HIV+ spouses and their HIV+children. A waiver is required on every visit and, if it is issued, it is only good for 30 days.

Many people are forced to evade the issue by shipping medications - thuscreating the potential of a real problem.Needless to say this is limiting on the US Cit's freedom to travel. The US is only one of 13 nations that Ban HIV+ visitors (Libya, China, Saudi Arabia are some of the others).

China is looking to repeal their restriction. It is well past time we did.

Please vote to repeal the ban.

Update Looks like I was behind the curve in Austin time here, and that this has already be successfully repealed!-- slow gator morning