Not defending the U.S., but I just wanted to say this is nothing new: the same strategem was employed in 1979 to keep Bob Stewart (or RJ Stewart, as he now calls himself), the table psaltery player and pagan folklorist, out of the U.S.

I remember it well, because that night (at the Inn of the Beginning in Cotati, California) was the first time I ever saw Martin Carthy. Stewart was supposed to be appearing with Martin Carthy, and when the latter turned up solo, I asked him what the problem was. (I must have been the only person in the audience who'd come to see Stewart rather than Carthy. I was very young at the time...I know better now!) The "cultural uniqueness" thing was exactly what he cited as the reason Stewart couldn't get a visa. Yah, we gotta lotta table psaltery players over here, who needs one more...

I also remember this happening to the Oysterband -- or was it Home Service? -- on a tour in the mid-80s. Equally baffling, either way.

Claire