Earthquake disaster in Haiti

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January 14, 2010  On January 12, an earthquake shook the island of Haiti. The Department of State has received a high volume of calls concerning the welfare of U.S. citizens in Haiti.  To handle these requests most efficiently, the Department has established an e-mail address for people who are trying to contact their U.S. citizen friends and relatives in Haiti. For this e-mail address, further information and instructions, please visit the State Department website.

Consul General Julie Ruterbories on the elimination of the HIV ban

January 11, 2010  Consul General Julie Ruterbories delivered remarks at Schiphol Airport January 7, to mark the elimination of the ban on travel to the U.S. of people with HIV.  The press conference, organized by the Dutch national AIDS foundation and the MFA, featured a Dutch couple (one with HIV) who won a contest and free trip to New York for their poem, “Positive,” on the significance of the change in policy.   In interviews following the press conference, Consul General Ruterbories further described the new legislation and the continued U.S. commitment to fight HIV and Aids.

Heightened Flight Security Measures for International Travellers to the U.S.

January 5, 2010  As a result of the recent attack on Northwest Airlines Flight 253, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has put additional security measures in place to ensure aviation security remains strong.  Passengers flying into the United States from abroad can expect to see additional security measures at international airports such as increased gate screening including pat-downs and bag searches. During flight, passengers will be asked to follow flight crew instructions, such as stowing personal items, turning off electronic equipment and remaining seated during certain portions of the flight. The latest information may be obtained at the TSA site.

Effective January 4, 2010, HIV Infection is Removed from the CDC List of Communicable Diseases of Public Health Significance

January 4, 2010  On November 2, the Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (HHS/CDC), published a Final Rule in the Federal Register, titled Medical Examination of Aliens - Removal of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Infection from Definition of Communicable Disease of Public Health Significance (HIV Final Rule).  This Final Rule amends Title 42 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Part 34, and will remove HIV infection from the list of communicable diseases of public health significance and remove references to HIV from the scope of medical examinations for foreign citizens seeking to travel to the United States.  Review the CDC website guidance and Federal Register Final Rule which will go into effect January 4.

Therefore, starting January 4, 2010, HIV infection will no longer be an ineligibility when foreign citizens apply for a visa to travel to the United States. Additionally, HIV testing will no longer be required for medical examinations for visa purposes.  Further, applicants who are HIV-positive will no longer require waiver processing by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Review the HIV Questions & Answers on the U.S. Department of State’s website to learn more.

Previous events of the U.S. Consulate General in Amsterdam...