"An hour's drive from Miami Beach, on the way to the suburb of Homestead, is the headquarters of the Nora Sandigo Children Foundation, founded by Nora Sandigo. Known as La Gran Madre the great mother Sandigo is a local legend. Since opening her foundation in 2006, she's been the legal guardian to 2,373 children, whose parents have been deported or are at risk of being detained by immigration authorities."
"With the intensification of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations following Donald Trump's return to office, as well as the fear among many undocumented immigrants about being detained, the number of applications that Sandigo receives has increased considerably. The vast majority come from mothers who fear for their children's future. In the last 18 months alone, Sandigo has become the legal guardian of 472 minors, bringing the total number of children currently under her care to around 700."
"On a Wednesday in early December, after 2:00 p.m., Sandigo arrives at the house. She's dressed entirely in black, wearing comfortable clothes and white sneakers, which match her nails. Her long, dark hair is loose. She hasn't eaten yet, despite having gotten up at 6:00 a.m. I live on coffee, she jokes. The voice of this 60-year-old woman of Nicaraguan origin is warm and gentle."
Nora Sandigo founded the Nora Sandigo Children Foundation and has become legal guardian to thousands of children whose parents were deported or face detention. She does not adopt the children; parents retain legal rights while she assumes responsibility for education, health, and upbringing. Demand rose sharply after intensified ICE operations and fears of detention, with 472 minors added in 18 months and around 700 children currently under her guardianship. The foundation operates from a nine-room house that also functions as a senior care center, whose profits support the foundation. Sandigo maintains a hands-on daily presence and receives migrants seeking assistance.
Read at english.elpais.com
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