Opinion ID: 171391
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: April 13, 2004 IJ Hearing

Text: Mr. Ribas was initially scheduled for a hearing before the IJ on October 7, 2002. The IJ held a brief hearing on that date, during which Mr. Ribas appeared pro se and conceded the facts underlying the basis for removal, but stated that he wanted to pursue his asylum application. The IJ warned Mr. Ribas that should it be determined that any of the information [on the asylum application] has been deliberately fabricated such a finding would result in the permanent bar [on] receiving immigration benefits in the future. Id. at 353. At this point, Mr. Ribas's removal and asylum proceedings ground to a temporary halt. Angolan citizens, including Mr. Ribas, were granted temporary protected status (TPS) that shielded them from removal. The TPS later expired and proceedings resumed in 2004. Mr. Ribas was scheduled for a hearing before the IJ on April 13 of that year. He appeared pro se at the hearing. He then explained to the IJ that he believed he would be persecuted for religious reasons if returned to Angola: Your Honor, I came here (Indiscernible), probably because I really cannot (indiscernible), because of my religious status, right now, I can't (Indiscernible.) I'll be persecuted, Your Honor, they don't believe in God. And (indiscernible) I'd be in danger (indiscernible). Id. at 365. The IJ found this position perplexing. He noted that the asylum application Mr. Ribas previously filed had listed membership in a particular social group as the basis for seeking asylum, and said nothing about being persecuted because of his adherence to Christianity. [2] The IJ indicated it was a problem for Mr. Ribas that he had changed his story concerning the basis for asylum, but suggested that Mr. Ribas might want to file a new asylum application based on religious grounds. Id. at 367. He warned him, however, that he would need documentation to support his asylum claim. He then cautioned him about the consequences if his asylum claim failed: So, you need to get to work or you're going to be on an airplane flying back to Angola at the expense of the United States Government. Okay? And if you go out that way you can't come back legally for ten years. Id. at 372 (emphasis added).