Survivor concerned about deportation

DELRAY BEACH, FL -- Baby Moses’ family considers him a miracle.  They are now hoping for a second one. They want his mother to be allowed to stay in the U.S.

Lexilia Lexidort says through translator James Legare, "After all I've been through should not deport me because it's hard enough. I went through so much already."

Lexilia was trying to escape Haiti. She was pregnant when she boarded a smuggling boat bound for the United States. The boat sank.

 "I felt like I was going to die,” says Lexilia.

She was one of several saved from the ocean waters. She gave birth to Moses a few days later. Her rescue also means the federal authorities know she is here.

Jeffrey Devore is an immigration attorney. He says, “The child isn't going to have an impact on the immigration proceedings against her.
 
While Lexilia’s story may be moving, he does not foresee it affecting her chances of remaining in the U.S.

"Unfortunately not for her the child is a U.S. citizen because born in the u-s the child can stay the government position is she has to go,” says Devore.

An immigration hearing is scheduled for the fall. While she waits, Lexilia will try to enjoy life here. She knows it could only be for a short time.

Lexilia says, "For me to go back home from what I fled from, they might as well as bury me."

Moses could stay in the U.S. without his mother. Jeffrey Devore says a child, who is a U.S. citizen, must be 21 years old to petition for a green card for his or her parent. Lexilia says she will keep her son with her even if she is deported.