LETTER: Welcome to the USA

Douglas Carver
Friday 14 May 1999 23:02 BST
Comments

LETTER:

Welcome to the USA

Sir: I was surprised that Mary Dejevsky was so critical of the attitude shown, until recently, by US customs officials. She should first look to her own. For the last five years I have spent a great deal of time transiting between these isles and the United States.

Officials in the US have been invariably polite and helpful. On the other hand, never have I been treated with as much suspicion as is regularly the case in Heathrow - and my comparison includes trips I made to Nicaragua and the former East Germany in the 1980s.

An English friend has been searched regularly by immigration officials when in transit to Ireland. And one need only watch the suspicion with which Heathrow immigration treats any non-white passengers to see how polite they really are. Christ's message about planks and motes leaps to mind.

DOUGLAS CARVER

Dublin

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