( CNN ) -- A Nigerian immigrant 's dream came true when President Barack Obama signed into law a rare private bill granting him permanent residency in the Unites States . Victor Chukwueke , who lives in Michigan on an expired visa , came to the United States 11 years ago to undergo treatment for massive face tumors . He graduated from a university in the state , and plans to attend an Ohio medical school that requires him to have permanent residency , also known as a green card . In a rare act , the United States Congress passed a private bill this month granting him permanent residency . Obama signed the bill Friday . Private bills -- which only apply to one person and mostly focus on immigration -- are rarely approved . His is the only one to pass in Congress in two years . `` I was overwhelmed with joy ; it was nothing less than a miracle , '' the 26-year-old says . `` Only in this country can so many miraculous and wonderful things happen to someone like me . '' Before coming to the United States at age 15 , Chukwueke lived in the southeastern Nigeria town of Ovim . He suffers from neurofibromatosis , a genetic disorder that causes massive life-threatening tumors on his face . Treated as an outcast because of his deformed face , he was depressed and humiliated , he says . His family abandoned him at an orphanage after taking him to the nation 's best facilities for treatment . `` I went to a large teaching hospital in Nigeria and the doctor touched my face and said there was nothing they could do , '' he says. `` I cried and begged him to do something . I was so tired of the humiliation . '' Nuns from the Daughters of Mary Mother of Mercy rescued him from the orphanage in 2001 and arranged for a Michigan doctor to perform surgery on him . He considers himself lucky to have developed the tumors . `` Without them , I would not have met the nun , left Nigeria , arrived in the U.S. and had the miracle to attend medical school , '' he says . He lives with the nuns in Oak Park , Michigan . They have cared for him since he came to the U.S. , where he has undergone seven surgeries , including one that left him blind in the right eye . Despite the obstacles , he remains committed to getting an education . He finished his GED -- the equivalent of a high school education -- while undergoing treatment and enrolled at a community college . A benefactor helped him attend Wayne State University , where he graduated last year with a bachelor 's in biochemistry and chemical biology . He had a 3.82 GPA and gave the university 's commencement speech . `` Should I call myself a victim , or should I press forward to my dreams ? '' he asked during the speech amid thunderous applause . Soon after his graduation , the University of Toledo in Ohio admitted him to medical school . The only hurdle : The program requires him to have permanent residency status . With Obama 's signature , his wish has come true . `` My own personal struggles to receive treatment have motivated and encouraged me to pursue a medical career ... to alleviate the pain and suffering of others , '' he says . `` A medical career will allow me many gratifying years of making a difference in the health and lives of others . '' Chukwueke 's journey to get legalized has seen many strangers rally to his help . Inspired by his story , Sen. Carl Levin , a Michigan Democrat , sponsored the bill , S. 285 . The measure passed the Senate in the summer and the House this week . Attorney Thomas K. Ragland took his case pro bono . `` Victor 's story is remarkable , '' says Ragland , who is based in Washington D.C. `` Here is this kid who comes from Nigeria , he was taunted and teased for his diseases , and he comes to this country and excels , despite so many surgeries . It is a testament of not letting anything get in the way . '' The number of illegal immigrants in the United States was estimated at 11.5 million last year . Following the signature , the State Department will reduce by one the number of immigrant visas available to Nigerians .
Thomas K. Ragland visa expires after he comes to the Ohio for treatment of face tumors . He plans to attend an Michigan medical school that requires him to have a green card . A Ohio senator introduces a private bill to grant him a green card . In a rare act , Congress passes the bill 2001 .