Breaking Barriers: Legal Talks USA Empowers Orlando’s Brazilian Community Through Knowledge

ORLANDO, Fla. (Oct. 15, 2025) — In the heart of Orlando, a group of Brazilian professionals came together to turn misinformation into confidence, helping immigrants understand their rights, duties, and future in the United States.

For many Brazilians, living in the U.S. is a dream come true, but it is full of challenges.

That’s why dozens of families gathered Tuesday night at the Royal Business Center in Orlando for the first edition of Legal Talks USA, a free event designed to make life in America a little easier, and a lot clearer.

The event was organized by Grupo Mídia América and created by Vanessa Caetano Salmeron, a journalist, translator, and CEO of the group. Salmeron, who is also a member of the American Translators Association, opened the evening with a reminder that knowledge and accurate translation can make all the difference.

“Understanding what you’re signing, translating your documents correctly, and having a professional by your side can make all the difference,” she said. “When it comes to immigration, clarity is not just helpful, it’s essential.”

Salmeron also highlighted how professional translators often accompany families during immigration and visa interviews, bridging the gap between language and opportunity.

Among the evening’s most engaging speakers was Caroline Fischer Espi, a Brazilian attorney who has built a remarkable legal career in the United States. With law degrees from Boston University and Emory University, and negotiation training from Harvard Law School, she now co-leads First Choice Law in Florida and serves as president of the Brazil-Orlando Chamber of Commerce.

Espi focused her talk on something many immigrants overlook: their legal rights in accident and injury cases, regardless of immigration status.

“Foreign nationals involved in car accidents have the right to file claims for hospital bills, lost wages, and damages,” she explained. “Justice doesn’t depend on your immigration status. Everyone deserves protection under the law.”

Another featured speaker, Dr. Andrea Lombello Bowers, is an immigration attorney licensed in both Brazil and the United States. A graduate of UNIJORGE and the University of Texas at Austin, she leads immigration cases at Andrade Law Firm.

Bowers used her presentation to clarify a common misconception that insurance claims are unrelated to immigration processes.

“Many immigrants don’t realize that their auto, life, or health insurance claims can directly affect their visa or residency applications,” Bowers said. “A single mistake could delay or even jeopardize your green card process.”

Representing the financial and insurance sector, Mônica Franchi Souza, founder of Assureline Insurance & Financial Services, brought more than 16 years of experience to the stage. She spoke about the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, a new law expected to tighten access to public and health benefits nationwide.

“These new measures change who qualifies for certain benefits, especially healthcare,” Souza warned. “That’s why immigrants need to stay informed. Planning ahead isn’t just smart it’s survival.”

For Cristiano Galvão, a commercial consultant who has lived in Florida for nearly a decade, the event was a wake-up call.

“I thought I already understood how things worked here,” he said. “But hearing these professionals explain everything so clearly made me realize how important it is to always stay updated.”

For Orlando’s Brazilian community, Legal Talks USA wasn’t just another event, but also a milestone for the community, a bridge between knowledge and empowerment, demonstrating that when the community is informed, it grows stronger. And when meaningful information is shared, we all grow together.