I enjoyed Pollard's high-flown nonsense about terror!

David, Bromley,

Missing the point. No other country demands this information, which should raise suspicions immediately. We all know what will happen - a name will come up on a watchlist and some innocent businessman or tourist will not be allowed to take their plane at the last minute.
Will this make the USA safer? I cannot see how, I find it unlikely a wanted terrorist will book using his own VISA card and passport. This is simply another in a long line of the US giving in to domestic pressure to try and make the lives of their law enforcement easier (but not more productive) and people like Pollard rolling over. 'No-one is compelled to fly there' - what a schoolboy comment - I bet if anyone British had made that comment about foreigners visiting/living in the UK Pollard would be jumping up and down in excited indignation.
Agree to this by all means - only if all US passengers visiting Europe have to suffer the exact same indignities we do when visiting the US. Only US passengers mind...

Neil Anderson, Bridetown,

The inquistion imposed by the US is so thorough that I gain entry to the US quicker than passing through border checks carried out upon my return to Manchester Airport.

Robert Williams, Halifax, England

"When was the last time you let a bunch of potential terrorists into your house?"

Errm, 1990-1991, 1991 and 2003, They came with Tanks and Planes, I was unable to stop them. I could not even check their passports or any other details...Immediately, they started using laser guided missiles. They called it 'Shock and awe'.

I wish you had written this article earlier.

Sheikh Yabotty, Baghdad, Iraq, Middle East

I first went to the US in 1979. I went to university in South Carolina for a year, worked a summer in Washington State and have been to 41 states so far. It is a wonderful country and I have some lifelong friends from varied backgrounds. In isolation from the rest of the world the Americans seem to be getting more paranoid, more jobsworth, less tolerant of difference than ever before. They are right to want to understand who is visiting but a once welcoming and likeminded country has been sold into mental shackles of fear by the actions of the controlling powers since 2001. So sad.

Tony, Fife, UK

When did the US acquire its monopoly on being the victims of terror? Its government behaves as if America alone comprehends the true horror of terrorism. Yet, in their reaction to it, they surrender in the war against it. The most powerful rebuttal of terrorism is to rise above it. If we alter our life because of it, we only act to magnify its dreadfulness. Every time I see a new security measure deployed which encroaches on civil liberties, I am reminded of the Benjamin Franklin quotation:

"Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety."

Stephen, you are right. If we don't like it we should not go there. However, ou ability to choose not to go does not make such measures right or just or wise.

James, London,

We have the greatest country in the world worried about some terrorists. What happened to the true grit spirit of the USA. Have they all gone Yellow. We in Britain have.

But seriously who are these terrorists last time I heard they where some ex CIA operatives. Are we sure they still aren't I am not. Funny how bush really isn't bothered about catching Osama. I suppose he has his hands full smashing the Taliban. Tell me what part did they play in 911. none. Funny what where they responsible for. Ah yes eradicating the poppy crop.

Mark, UK,

The point is a level of personal information that I don't want my government to have, and who are theoretically accountable, is being given to a government over who I have no redress. Why do they want credit card details? What do they do if I don't have one?

Corin, Wolverhampton,

Try visiting good ol Canada. At the Toronto International customs accused me of attempting to bring in undeclared goods into the country. The items in question? $5 worth of chocolate bars and a 2 day old copy of the Times. I explained i thought it insignificant to decalre the chocolates, and the paper had no commercial value, given it was 2 days old. After about half hour, i was given the 'good news' that they would not "put me in the system". i was let off with a stern warning.

The point is this: The US has valid reasons for this basic info. Unfortunatelly the people in charge will abuse their position and travellers will be made to suffer.

Peter Eliopoulos, Guelph, Canada

"If you don't like the terms of entry don't go!"

Too bloody right I won't. And neither should anyone else who dissaproves of being treat like a potential terrorist just for daring to enter their country.

They do have every right to enforce any terms they like, but they should also stop lying about being the land of the free and home of the brave. they are neither anymore.

the sooner someone can find Osama bin Laden and let him know how the Americans have cravenly given in to being "hated for their freedom" and removed the freedom to be an anonymous private individual, the better then we can all end this stupid war on a concept of terror.

Ken Hall, Barrow in Furness, UK

The issue is rather different...the USA is demanding this information even for overflights ie for those of us who have no intention of subjecting ourselves to the paranoid bullying and rudeness of US immigration

brian morris, london, uk

I have visited the US literally hundreds of times during the last 35 years. I have never experienced any problem whatsoever with US immigration. I have always been treated with absolute politeness and dispatch, but then, I obey the rules and treat officials with respect

As the man says - if you don't like that don't go, they won't want you anyway.

Phil, Christchurch, UK

I have to travel to the US as part of my work, I have been many times, 2-3 times every year for the past 18 years, I have a visa for the US, I present my passport before boarding an aircraft. Yet still every time I land I spend at least two hours waiting in immigration while being checked out. In my job as an officer on a Merchant ship the only countries I have never visited are Alaska and Vietnam but in every other country in the world I can enter in the time it takes to stamp a passport.
Basic back ground information OK but they need to get some decent organisation and systems in place so that you do not feel like a criminal every time you visit for business or pleasure

Ian, Whitby, UK

I am British, 65 and started to visit the US only 7 years ago. I've been to Chicago twice, seen New York City, Seattle and San Francisco. All of them great experiences. But I am not interested in further US travel if I have to face heavy questioning at the point of entry. I don't need that on vacation - even if the US authorities do. I'll just take my holidays in Asia and Europe like before.

Tim, London, England

"If you don’t like America’s terms of entry, don’t go."

Nonsense. We put pressure on barmy Middle Eastern countries that arrest people for having poppy seeds on their clothes, or having microgrammes of cannabis on the soles of their shoes. Why not the US when its actions are just as barmy?

Kay Tie, York,