LETTER: Welcome to the USA

Friday 14 May 1999 23:02 BST

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LETTER:

Welcome to the USA

Sir: Is it really surprising that US immigration and customs staff have become more welcoming to foreign visitors (Mary Dejevsky, American Times, 12 May) now that the latter are having to pay for these services?

Travellers arriving in the US pay a $6 "tax" on top of their airline fare to clear immigration and a further $6 to clear customs. Most passengers don't know this because these sums are shown in coded form on your ticket coupon.

The US must be the only country in the world where passengers pay for services which should be provided by the state.

ALEX McWHIRTER

Business Traveller Magazine

London WC1

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