The President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) passed the U.S. House of Representatives yesterday by a vote of 303-115, practically ensuring that the statutory bar to entry into the United States for HIV-positive immigrants and foreign visitors will be lifted.

The bill already passed the Senate last week with a strong bi-partisan majority, and President Bush is expected to sign the bill into law.<

Since 1987, visitors, immigrants, and lawful permanent residents with HIV or AIDS have been barred from entering the United States or obtaining citizenship. By lifting this bar, Congress mandates that HIV and AIDS be treated the same as any other communicable disease under U.S. immigration laws. Read more about the bill's effect on the treatment of immigrants with HIV and AIDS here. The text of the House PEPFAR bill is available here.