Brazil was just doing that because the US was doing it to Brazilians. Whenever we raise our fees for visas Brazil reciprocates. The whole thing is idiotic since the USA doesn't need tourism dollars and Brazil desperately does.

Brazil doesn't have the infrastructure to handle the photos and fingerprinting of everyone. Sooner or later they probably will do away with it for good. Many local governmental agencies are against the whole idiotic process.

Glad you had a hassle free arrival. Brazil is a great country.