The Carmo family came to the United States in 2000 from Brazil. Although they were living in the United States as undocumented immigrants, they first came to the U.S. with legal family visas.

Recently, a horrific car accident left every member of the Carmo family dead except for 15-year-old Lidiane. As she was grieving the deaths of her family members, she also worried about possibly being deported back to Brazil.

Fortunately, immigration officials say the young girl does not need to worry about deportation. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement recently sent their condolences to the young girl and confirmed any rumors that the young girl would face deportation were false.

Although the young girl no longer has to worry about deportation, her financial situation is of concern. Members of her family's church, a church that her father co-founded, have asked people for financial support. In addition to medical care, the girl will also need money to bring the bodies of her family members home for burial.

The tragic accident happened in Florida as the family was heading home from a religious conference. Reports are surfacing that Florida's governor visited the young girl in the hospital and told her that the state would pay for the transport of the bodies and her medical expenses. However, these reports have not been confirmed.

A pastor at the Carmo family's church said that while the family was living in the United States illegally, they hoped to one day become legal citizens. Although the rest of her family will not have that opportunity, 15-year-old Lidiane might be able to achieve that.

Source: NY Daily News, "Teen crash survivor who lost entire family in car wreck won't face deportation as undocumented immigrant," Meena Hart Duerson, Feb. 1, 2012