Screening Immigrants and International Travelers for the Human Immunodeficiency Virus

Abstract

The U.S. Public Health Service in 1987 added HIV infection to the\nlist of diseases for which aliens can be excluded from the United States. In\na Sounding Board article, the authors summarize current policy as it applies\nto temporary visitors and to the three classes of persons requesting permanent\nresidence -- visa applicants, applicants for legalization, and applicants for\nrefugee status or asylum. Gostin and his colleagues question the efficacy and\nfairness of the U.S.'s broad policy for testing and excluding foreigners for\nreasons of public health, and describe the policy's adverse effects and its\ninfringement of human rights. They conclude that current U.S. policy is\nneither efficacious nor just and call for a scientifically sound and globally\nfocused response to the HIV pandemic. (KIE abstract)