Judge: reunion between Ohio convert and parents impossible, deportation not in best interest

Judge: No reunion between Ohio convert and parents

COLUMBUS, Ohio — A juvenile court judge in Columbus, Ohio, has granted a runaway Christian convert’s request to declare reunion with her Muslim parents impossible, paving the way for the girl to fight deportation.

Magistrate Mary Goodrich said Thursday that reconciliation between Rifqa Bary (RIHF’-kuh BAYR’-ee) and her parents isn’t possible before she turns 18 on Tuesday. Goodrich also said it’s not in the girl’s best interest to return her to her native Sri Lanka.

Bary is an illegal immigrant. The ruling allows her attorneys to file for a special immigration status to allow her to stay in the U.S. while she continues medical treatment following recent surgery for uterine cancer.

Bary fled to Florida last year saying she feared harm for her conversion. The immigration status of the parents, who live in the Columbus area, is unclear.