Christian convert who ran from Ohio to Fla. wins permanent US residency; is Sri Lanka native

Runaway Ohio convert gains legal US residency

COLUMBUS, Ohio — A lawyer for a Christian convert who ran away from her parents says the now-18-year-old woman has gained permanent U.S. residency after living in Ohio as an illegal immigrant.

A lawyer for Rifqa Bary said Tuesday the Sri Lanka native can now start applying for a driver’s license, Medicaid coverage and college scholarships.

Lawyer Kort Gatterdam says Bary got her permanent residency card last week and can apply for citizenship in five years.

Bary had sought the green card as she argued she could not reunite with her Muslim parents. She alleged they threatened her with harm for converting, and she fled Ohio to stay with a minister in Orlando, Fla.

Bary also sought legal residency to achieve health coverage as she battles uterine cancer.