Yes, asbestos is currently legal and used within products made in the United States. The Environmental Protection Agency worked to ban different asbestos-containing products in the early 1970s, but in 1991, most of the bans were overturned with the help of asbestos industry supporters.
Even though asbestos use in the United States was largely phased out in the late 1970's, individuals all over the country are still feeling the effects of exposure today. Exposure to asbestos can lead to serious diseases and cancers, including asbestosis and mesothelioma.
New Zealand recently announced that it will become the 56th country to completely ban the importation of asbestos and asbestos-containing products. The import of raw asbestos has already been banned in the country, but it will soon prohibit the import of products containing asbestos to protect its citizens from deadly asbestos-related diseases, like mesothelioma.