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You are correct

https://travel.state.gov/content/visas/en/visit/visitor.html

However Brazil does not require an interview in person, so you can do it by mail

Yup. That's the deal. Tried to go back when the relationship was a bit more tense (10 years ago) and got denied AND blacklisted for 5 years sad face

I still think the numbers overwhelmingly benefit the US vs Brazil here, considering the huge numbers of Brazilians that come here to vacation (and buy a dozen iPads).

Also, did they say why you were blacklisted? Was there a time where Brazilians were denied entry to the US on tourist visas?

Yes, though because of the Olympics it has been waived this summer.