A leading NZ HIV+ support network is "delighted" that the United States Senate has approved a new bill that will end the effective ban on HIV+ people visiting the USA. "We're just delighted and over the moon about it," says Bruce Kilmister, CEO of Body Positive Auckland. "It's bringing the USA up to date." America's 'unwelcome mat' ban on HIV+ people arriving in the country has been in place since 1987. Kilmister knows local Body Positive clients who've been turned around after their flight to the US and sent back on the next plane. "I also know people who've been arrested and held under armed guard whilst they're in transit." The Bill will now go to a joint committee of the House of Representatives and the Senate, where any differences will be ironed out, before going to President Bush for approval. The President has already indicated that he supports the Bill, according to BBC reports. Even if approved swiftly in the US, it'll take some time before the ban reversal filters through to places like Auckland, Kilmister explains. "It'll be interesting to see how it unfolds. It may still require a declaration as to HIV status and approval of a visa prior to departure. "We hope they'll normalize it so you can get a visa on arrival, like everybody else."