Number of underage immigrants on their own in U.S. triples in 5 years, stats show

By Rafael Romo, CNN

(CNN) — One recent afternoon, Brianda Cabrera was helping her younger sister, Diana, with her math homework.

Brianda, 23, is not only the eldest of three siblings, but for the past nine years she has also been their parent.

The Cabreras, including Brianda, Diana, 15 and Jose, 18, are orphans. “My parents are gone. For me, this is the only family I have left,” Brianda said from their home in Sandy Springs, Georgia.

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