Dantas migrated to Spain in 1994 in order to study environmental law.[2][6] She was an undocumented migrant and worked in various jobs over 15 years – as a maid, nanny, old age carer, dog walker, waitress and Portuguese teacher.[2][6] She would clean toilets after attending doctorate classes.[2][3] She later worked as an administrative assistant for a finance company.[7] She is a naturalised Spanish citizen.[3][8]
Soon after arriving in Spain Dantas became an activist against xenophobia, racism, fascism and homophobia and supporting immigration and human rights.[4] She is a member of Unity Against Fascism and Racism (Unitat Contra el Feixisme i el Racisme) and is a member of the boards of Centre Internacional Escarré per a les Minories Ètniques i Nacionals (CIEMEN) and Confederació d’Associacions Veïnals de Catalunya (CONFAVC).[9] Her activism has led to death threats from supporters of Brazil's far-rightpresidentJair Bolsonaro.[4]
Dantas has a son, Thiago Lee, from a marriage when she was living in Brazil.[12] She also has two daughters born in Barcelona, Victoria and Natalia, from a second relationship to a Brazilian.[6][12]