Carmo Vigil Draws Hundreds

Hundreds of students gathered at a vigil for the Carmo family the same day a federal official announced that the family’s sole survivor won’t be deported.

Sprayberry freshman Lidiane Carmo, 15, remains in Shands at the University of Florida hospital while recovering from the injuries she suffered in the multiple-vehicle pileup that killed her parents and sister Sunday.

The Kennesaw resident is in fair condition, WSB-TV reported this morning.

Among the 11 people killed in the chain-reaction crashes on Interstate 75 south of Gainesville, FL, Sunday were Lidiane’s father, Ingreja Internacional de Restauracao pastor Jose Carmo; mother, Adriana; sister, Sprayberry junior Leticia; uncle Edson Carmo; and Edson’s girlfriend.

The Carmos moved from Brazil about 12 years ago and were living here on expired visas, leading to fears that Lidiane would be deported after her recovery.

But Immigration and Customs Enforcement spokeswoman Barbara Gonzalez said Wednesday the teen will not face deportation, CNN reported.

A written statement from Gonzalez said ICE’s priorities are convicts, fugitives, repeat offenders and recent illegal immigrants, not teenagers who have lived in the United States most of their lives, CNN said. The statement added: “Our thoughts and prayers are with Miss Lidiane Carmo.”

About 500 people, mostly Sprayberry students, held a candlelight vigil to support Lidiane and remember her family Wednesday night.

Three cosmetology classmates of Leticia’s, juniors Rachel Schmidt, Sabiola Oconitrillo and Gaby Hidalgo, organized the event, The Marietta Daily Journal reported.

Sprayberry students have been raising money for the family all week, and a .

Students and teachers remembered Leticia for her kindness and her love of her Marietta church, which her parents helped found two years ago, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported.