Mr. Speaker. today I have introduced a bill that would amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to prohibit issuing immigrant visas to aliens with AIDS. Federal regulations now bar aliens from entering the United States on seven grounds. all involving health and this bill would specify AIDS as a dangerous contagious disease. In doing this bill. we recognize that the administration has executive power to enforce what this legislation does. It does not in any way diminish support of the administration to protect the health of all Americans. My bill would codify this sentiment into law. As you are all aware. the Senate voted unanimously to test immigrants for the AIDS virus. which directs the President to act by August 31 to add AIDS to the Governments list of dangerous and contagious diseases and to require that immigrants be tested for it. AIDS is without a doubt a threat today to public health. I have a deep concern for the public interest and the health of the population. It is estimated today that more than 600.000 immigrants annually apply for permanentresident status and it is necessary that these people be tested for exposure to AIDS as part of a required medical examination. Infected persons would then be denied entry on the grounds that they have a dangerous contagious disease. Studies by the World Health Organization concludes that neither vaccine nor therapy for large populations is likely to become available for at least several years.
Keywords matched
immigrant Immigration immigrants visas