Plasma Centers Appeal Paid Blood Donation Ban for Visa Holders

Operators of plasma donation centers near the Mexican border appealed a new U.S. rule barring certain visa holders from donating blood in return for payment, with the companies arguing to the D.C. Circuit that they’re sufficiently negatively affected by the ban to challenge it in court.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection announced in 2021 that donating plasma constitutes prohibited “labor for hire” for individuals on B-1 or B-2 visas if the donor receives a payment.

CSL Plasma Inc., Biomat USA Inc., Talecris Plasma Resources Inc., and GCAM Inc. operate dozens of collection centers in California, Arizona, and Texas and use ...