Subject: FWD - Alert: Immigration Bill Attacks HIV+ Immigrants
From: [email-masked]
Date: Wed, 25 Sep 1996 12:20:31 -0400

FROM:  AIDS Action Council, National Immigration Project
of the National Lawyers Guild, San Francisco AIDS Foundation
DATE:  Sep. 23, 1996

PLEASE DISTRIBUTE TO EVERYONE!

It appears the Republican Congress intends to pass a
viciously anti-immigrant bill in the next two weeks (a call
to Congress today indicated that the vote may occur as
early as tomorrow, Sep. 25); the current plan is to attach
it to an omnibus appropriations bill.

***THIS IS OUR LAST CHANCE TO STOP THE
BILL***

WHY SHOULD YOU CARE?

* It specifically attacks HIV+ immigrants
  It denies medical treatment to HIV+ legal immigrants. 
  While it allows treatment for communicable disease
  other than HIV ( such as TB or influenza), it allows
  only testing for HIV+ legal permanent residents. 
  They may be treated for other diseases, but not for
  HIV/AIDS.
  
  It denies both testing and treatment to HIV@+
  undocumented immigrants.  Again, while allowing
  testing and treatment of undocumented immigrants for
  other communicable diseases, the bill specifically
  prohibits reimbursement for testing and care of
  undocumented HIV+ immigrants.
  
* Any noncitizen who uses needs-based public benefits
for more than 12 months will be deported.  This includes
legal permanent residents who receive SSI.

* It eliminates or severely limits access to immigration
status, including through family members, suspension or
deportation, and asylum.  Many HIV+ immigrants will
never be able to gain legal immigration status.

WHAT TO DO!

Call your representatives and senators:  Capitol
Switchboard (202) 224-3121

Call President Clinton:  (202) 456-1111.

WHAT TO SAY!

The immigration bill is bad for many reasons, not just
because it cuts off education to undocumented children. 
Your representatives and senator should vote against it,
even if it's part of another bill.  The President should
veto any bill that include scapegoating HIV+ immigrants
and undocumented children immigrants.

For more info, please call the National Immigration
Project at (617) 227-9727.