POZ Community Forums
Main Forums => I Just Tested Poz => Topic started by: pinkadam on October 09, 2006, 08:41:02 pm
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Hi Guys
Iam a Permanent Resident Of US and i was tested Positive couple of months back. Currently iam on medication and iam planning a trip to abroad(Asia). I was wondering what kind of issues will arise from Immigartion when i re enter US. Do i have to disclose my HIV status. What should i do with my medication.
Thanks a head
Tony
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Tony,
Did you ever get a (private) response back to this? I love to travel and I was quite alarmed when I readd online that folks who where HIV+ were not being allowed to other countries (US included). I did ask my doctor this when I went to him with my 18 carefully researched questions (yes I can get quite detailed when I want to ;D) and his response was that yes some countries denied HIV+ people the right to enter, but to just take my meds out of the bottle and put them in a pill case or a tylenol bottle, etc. I would think that is you are a US citizen and you leave and then come back it shouldn't be a problem but, this is a strange world we live in....
Ty
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Hey Ty
No one responded to my question so far. Looks like not very many people are in my situation. Some people did suggested to mix the pills with other tylenol pills but some of the HIV medication have names on the capsules(eg: Sustiva). It is so wierd how US try to lead the world as the most powerful nation in the world and still discriminates people(foreigners) with HIV and expect everyone to be sincere and honest about HIV diagnosis.
I did see some people who tried to mix the pills with regular pills and still faced issues.
Iam trying to figure out if there is a law that prevent this kind of discrimination against people.
Tony
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http://www.immigrationequality.org/template.php?pageid=177 (http://www.immigrationequality.org/template.php?pageid=177) Check this out and see if you can get the information that you need. You may be able to call someone that can help you. I wouldn't suggest that you transfer any medication out of their respective bottles. You'll need to be able to show that you have a prescription for each medicine.
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This looks like a great website for folks trying to immigrate. What about a US citizen taking a vacation to France or Japan, etc. Will we get turned away for going on vacation? Or does this just apply if were thinking of living/establishing a residence outside of the US?
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Hi Guys,
I don't know if this answers any of your questions but I have used this site often for much of my information.
Hope it helps, John.
http://www.aidsmap.com/en/docs/C92D5639-E779-44EC-B8F8-0CECCC23275A.asp (http://www.aidsmap.com/en/docs/C92D5639-E779-44EC-B8F8-0CECCC23275A.asp)
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Thanks, this is just what I needed.
Ty
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As long u r NOT a citizen do NOT disclosure ur hiv status.U r Lucky that before u got green card ur bloodwork was OK.Now keep quiet till u get ur citizenship
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I've been to France each of the last 3 years and never had a problem there or re-entering here. Or Thailand either for that matter. I always put my pills in a 7-day case or have even used my HIV med bottle. Maybe I wont do the latter any more.
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Leave it up to the U.S. to develp a brainless idiot policy. Don't they know that those who know of their status are less likely to infect other people, than those who are HIV+ but don't know? Forcing people to travel without meds or hide them creates an anxiety that is inhumane and helps nobody, making us feel less than human.
rob
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I'm actually an immigration attorney. Let me know if this issue arises for anyone.
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"The countries that have a similar ban on all HIV-positive tourists, travelers and immigrants are Armenia, Bangladesh, Brunei, Iraq, Libya, Moldavia, Oman, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, South Korea, Sudan and the U.S. Great company, no?"
quoted from Andrw Sullivan's page.
rob
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Hey Pink,
I posted on this the other day. I'm going to China, which doesn't allow HIV folks in technically. Course I found this out after I booked. I went to Iceland this past summer and didn't even think to check! I can't be hampered by fear and prejudice. I'll go where I please and the countries will benefit my money flowing in and will like it. I carry my pills in a pill minder or two. I've never been hassled. I've gone to France, Italy and Holland. I can't be bothered worrying and I will see this world regardless. Now as for the Chinese, I'm not sure about how fanatical they are about border checks. I may take a 12 day meds holiday when I go. I may not. I'll call it at the time. Don't avoid travel! We don't know how much time is allotted to us and we need to enjoy our lives. Incidentally, there are many who will violently disagree, but to me travel is what makes my life enjoyable - it's worth a break in meds if necessary, whatever the outcome.
Ernie
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Oh, by the way. On an emotional level with regards to nations, such as China and the US who discriminate against HIV poz folks:
FUCK THEM !
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Two things of note...
1. I traveled to Thailand just this past Nov/Dec. Their policy though not written in stone (not much is in Thailand) is that they may refuse entry to persons who are HIV positive. Let me go out on a limb here and state that coming from the U.S. has it's privileges in that I was barely given a cursory glance as I went through their customs. Not even a check of the bags going in. Nor were any of my other friends who were also positive who happened to be visiting at the same time that I was. have I mentioned how much I love Thailand! ;D
2. Returning from Thailand and entering the U.S. I went through customs in San Francisco. Trust me they've seen it all and if you are an American citizen with a valid passport and HIV drugs bulging from your pockets, I suspect that as long as you have a copy from your doctor of your prescriptions I don't believe that you'll have any problems on reentry. I was of course checked through customs with a complete bag check (no body cavity though, darn!). :D If you are visiting outside the U.S. anyway, I think it's a good idea to keep a copy of your scripts.
My two cents...
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Hey Ty
No one responded to my question so far. Looks like not very many people are in my situation. Some people did suggested to mix the pills with other tylenol pills but some of the HIV medication have names on the capsules(eg: Sustiva). It is so wierd how US try to lead the world as the most powerful nation in the world and still discriminates people(foreigners) with HIV and expect everyone to be sincere and honest about HIV diagnosis.
I did see some people who tried to mix the pills with regular pills and still faced issues.
Iam trying to figure out if there is a law that prevent this kind of discrimination against people.
Tony
Call a gay travel agent. Most of them should have all the current details. I would not recommend hiding HIV meds. There are some countries which will not let you in and you can be jailed for trying to smuggle in meds. Other countries require special visas. It's just best to check ahead of time. I believe the US State Department would be able to answer your question as well.
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Hi... quick question for you. I'm a nurse here in Canada and was for a time thinking about working in the U.S. The thing is, I've been told that I can't get a work visa based on my status. Is this absolutely true? I'd appreciate any help you can offer. As well, based on your post regarding the performance of the nurse at your last appointment it sounds like you need a few who know what the hell they are doing.
Sincerely, J.
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pinkadam:
Should be no issues entering United States with your meds. No need to hide them. In fact, board the plane with them in a carry-on or shoulder bag--in case something happens to your luggage (lost or delayed awhile). Asia? I'd recommend finding out if the particular country has a restriction.
Whether you'd go or not is your call...but I'd think twice about any "drug holiday". Check with your doctor before following any advice other than what your doctor tells you, OK?. To each his/her own, but there is a possibility of developing a resistance to aids-med drugs with noncompliance. Don't make it easy for the HIV virus to figure a resistance to current medication. Be ON TIME with MEDS whenever you can; don't skip. If something happens to delay taking your meds then do so at the next/nearest possible opportunity.
I've been in and out of this country a few times in the last few years and have yet to disclose my HIV status. On one trip one of the baggage inspectors eyed my drugs (in carry-on) awfully hard but never asked. It was kind of embarrassing since he took each script out and laid it to the side...and kept that up till he had satisfied his curiosity. The next guy in line was a very old man. Man, he had a whole pharmacy with him. Gallon zip lock bag full of prescriptions. So, don't sweat it; there is nothing security point inspectors haven't seen. I haven't felt embarassed since that episode.