[Buckeye McFrog]

can’t someone with a valid passport come in as a tourist?

Only if they are a Canadian citizen, which she was not. She held the Canadian equivalent of a green card. She'd have to meet the same visa rules as any citizen of Brazil which I think means getting a visa approved ahead of time.

[morphing libertarian]

Thanx. I think you’re right.

When we went to Brazil we had to get a Visa which required a trip to LA.

We were told that Brazil is merely mirroring what were doing to their citizens.

So i think you’ve hit on it.

They should have flown to mexico and walked across like everyone else.