I'm of Indian background and I always get interested experiences. Hong Kong airport four out of four times have pulled me aside at Customs to x-ray my bags. Not just at the airport too, i've been pulled up at the Land border crossing with China, and several times at the ferry terminal crossing from Macau.
The couple in front of me:
"where are you arriving from?"
"bangkok"
"any tobacco or aclohol"?
"no"
They get waived through. Then my turn:
"where are you arriving from?"
"bangkok"
"any tobacco or aclohol"?
"no"
Through to X-ray sir. When I asked "howcome I get this four out of four times?" I get the usual "its a random process sir"...
On a side note: Coming back to Sydney last month was interesting too, at the immigration desk. Me with my duty free purchases in one hand approaching the "Australian Passport" holders desk. For some reason I raise the attention of the supervisor patrolling behind the desks who keeps giving me the steely eye. As i approached the desk I put my passport down, the supervisor also approaches the desk and then lean sover the immigration officers shoulder. not even 30 seconds later, my passport is returned and the officer says "have a good one". The supervisor looked disappointed that he couldnt hold me up, so iave him a pleasant "g'day" as i passed him. I can only suspect that it might've been the time that Indian Students are returning to Australia for the start of semester, and some bulletin must've been issued to be wary of Study visas??
Either way - profiling is there, it happens.