America saw a downturn in tourism when it brought in some new rules about visas for anyone, even with countries which have reciprocal arrangements regarding travel without a visa, if the individual had any criminal background. Visitors with criminal records, (and this could be for a speeding offence)or even those who had been cautioned but not charged by the police in their own country, would need a visa. Elements of the British press were rightly scathing about the new rules, as at the time the UK had no such provision for American nationals

Maybe this was special treatment for Brits only? Or perhaps it was a case of the British public being mislead by the British media (maybe even a probability in light of the Leveson Enquiry)?

On the website of the American Consulate in Australia, the question below is the ONLY query about criminal history for Australians applying for an ESTA under the visa waiver program:-

B) Have you ever been arrested or convicted for an offense or crime involving moral turpitude or a violation related to a controlled substance; or have been arrested or convicted for two or more offenses for which the aggregate sentence to confinement was five years or more; or have been a controlled substance trafficker; or are you seeking entry to engage in criminal or immoral activities?

As for racial profiling, if records / data / statistics show that a greater than average number of visitors from Somewhereland were caught trying to smuggle nuclear weapons into the US, then would it not be reasonable for US border security officials to pay closer attention to Somewhereland national arrivals?