§1283 Hospital Treatment of Alien Crewmen Afflicted with Certain Diseases

Summary

When a crew member arrives in a U.S. port and is found to have any illness or disability listed in section 1285, the immigration officer in charge must send that person to a hospital at the port and get them treated. The ship or plane owner, agent, consignee, commanding officer, or master must pay all related costs, including burial if the person dies, and these costs cannot be taken out of the crew member’s wages. The vessel or aircraft will not get clearance to leave until the costs are paid or a payment guarantee is given and the immigration officer tells the collector of customs. If a crew member is only suspected of having one of those illnesses, they may be taken off the ship or plane to an immigration station or other place for observation so doctors can decide. The same payment rules apply. If the immigration officer decides a cure cannot be done in a reasonable time, the transportation line that brought the crew member must send them back at its expense under rules set by the Attorney General to ensure care and prevent spread of disease.