§1283 Hospital treatment of alien crewmen afflicted with certain diseases

Summary

If a crew member arriving at a U.S. port has one of the listed diseases or disabilities, the port immigration officer must send them to a hospital the officer chooses. The ship or airline (its owner or operator) must pay all costs, including burial if needed, and those costs cannot be taken from the crew member’s wages. The vessel or aircraft cannot get clearance to leave until the expenses are paid or guaranteed and customs is told. If a crew member is only suspected of being sick, they can be moved to an immigration station or other place for observation and examination, with the same parties paying the costs; if the person cannot be cured quickly, the transportation company must send them back at its expense under rules set by the Attorney General to ensure care and to prevent spread of disease.