The 22-year ban on immigration for those with HIV/AIDS has been lifted in the US.

The 22-year US ban on immigration for those with HIV/AIDS has been lifted today, 4 January, under President Obama.

Introduced by President Ronald Reagan in 1987 at the height of the AIDS crisis, the ban prevented anyone with HIV or AIDS from entering the US, in an effort to prevent the spread of the disease.

On 30 October 2009, President Obama announced the publication of the rule ending the HIV immigration and travel ban. The new regulations also remove the HIV testing requirement for lawful permanent resident applicants – before, it was considered a “communicable disease of public health significance”.

President Obama said in October that the ban was “rooted in fear rather than fact”. He said: “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 with HIV from entering our own country.”

Deborah Jack, Chief Executive of National AIDS Trust (NAT), found that 27% of people with HIV had experienced difficulties with foreign travel: “A recent NAT research study identified restrictions on travelling overseas as the biggest limitation faced at work by people living with HIV in the UK. This decision will make an enormous difference to the lives of many HIV positive people and is a real step forward for equality.”

According to the Global Database for HIV Travel, the US was one of 12 countries that had an entry bar in place for people with HIV. Other countries include Russia, Singapore and China.