American ethnicity categories don't make much sense even in the US.
Agreed. The United States Census Bureau itself says "These categories are sociopolitical constructs and should not be interpreted as being scientific or anthropological in nature."
I hear that all Brazilians are considered "hispanic" there, even though Brazilians don't speak Spanish
There is a college recruitment and scholarship program for Hispanic youth that includes Brazilians, but usually the "Hispanic or Latino" ethnicity term only includes people with cultural ties to Spain. See the linked thread for a link to the full definition and more FAQs about the issue of Hispanic ethnicity.
Agreed. The United States Census Bureau itself says "These categories are sociopolitical constructs and should not be interpreted as being scientific or anthropological in nature."
I hear that all Brazilians are considered "hispanic" there, even though Brazilians don't speak Spanish
Not by the federal definitions.
http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-admissions/85867...
There is a college recruitment and scholarship program for Hispanic youth that includes Brazilians, but usually the "Hispanic or Latino" ethnicity term only includes people with cultural ties to Spain. See the linked thread for a link to the full definition and more FAQs about the issue of Hispanic ethnicity.