AEGiS-06IAC: Mandatory HIV antibody testing of immigrants to the United States.

6th International AIDS Conference


San Francisco, California, USA — June 20-23, 1990

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Mandatory HIV antibody testing of immigrants to the United States.

Int Conf AIDS 1990 Jun 20-23; 6:334 (abstract no. Th.D.833)
Warren N, Silver D, Lee J, Freudenberg N; Hunter College Center for Community Action to Prevent AIDS, NYC, NY, USA

OBJECTIVE: To assess how immigration groups and AIDS organizations in New York City are responding to the federal law requiring HIV antibody testing among all immigrants applying for permanent residency and to determine what problems they have encountered and solutions they have explored.

METHODS: Our research was based on semi-structured interviews with 6 AIDS organizations, 10 immigration groups and 15 HIV+ immigrants to investigate these issues.

RESULTS: Immigration groups and immigrants themselves reported a wide range of problems with HIV testing including breaches of confidentiality, lack of medical services, discrimination, and poor pre/post HIV test counseling, especially on the part of civil surgeons. Immigrants described disrupted familial and community ties, while advocates characterize the policy as unfair and unjust. Immigration and AIDS groups offered some advocacy, legal services and counseling.

CONCLUSION: The current law poses the following problems: 1) lack of services for HIV+ immigrants 2) lack of training for civil surgeons 3) agencies services to immigrants are currently unprepared to offer comprehensive HIV counseling 4) immigrants are further isolated and discriminated against as a result of this testing.

Keywords: AEGIS, HIV Antibodies, Emigration and Immigration, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, United States, Counseling, Confidentiality, Public Policy, Mass Screening, Civil Rights, New York City, ICA6KWDaegis,hivantibodies,emigrationandimmigration,acquiredimmunodeficiencysyndrome,unitedstates,counseling,confidentiality,publicpolicy,massscreening,civilrights,newyorkcity,ica6

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ThD833

Copyright © 1990 - International AIDS Society (IAS). Reproduction of this abstract (other than one copy for personal reference) must be cleared through the IAS.