"We talk about reducing the stigma of this disease yet we've treated a visitor living with it as a threat," Mr Obama said. 

"We lead the world when it comes to helping stem the AIDS pandemic yet we are one of only a dozen countries that still bar people with HIV from entering our own country. If we want to be the global leader in combating HIV/AIDS, we need to act like it." The move has been hailed by AIDS prevention organisations and gay rights groups.