Opinion ID: 2980886
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Petitioners’ Initial Asylum Application

Text: Petitioners were admitted to the United States as nonimmigrant visitors on April 13, 2000, with authorization to remain until October 12, 2000. A.R. 582-83; 604-05; 626-27. On February No. 10-3084 Jihad Geagea, et al. v. Eric Holder 9, 2001, Geagea filed an asylum application listing Raji and Jad as derivative beneficiaries. A.R. 474-82. Geagea sought relief on the basis of religion, nationality, political opinion, membership in a particular social group, and the CAT. A.R. 479. He elaborated: I am seeking asylum because I fear for my life and the life of my family if I were to return to Lebanon. I was the bodyguard for the leader of Lebanese Christian Forces Samir Geagea. Back in 1996, Lebanese government put him in jail so soon after that I was forced to go to South Lebanon to stay with Milia Lahad for safety. I knew the only safe thing to do for me and my family was to come to the United States to visit with my brother and his family and my mom and dad. While I was here, Israelis Forces [sic] pulled out of Lebanon and most Milia Lahad too. I received calls and letters from Lebanon not to return or my life would be in great danger. A.R. 478; A.R. 479. Geagea’s application was otherwise sparse, aside from him explaining that he “would like the opportunity to explain [his] whole situation . . . [at his] hearing.” A.R. 479. On December 29, 2004, the DHS filed Notices to Appear (“NTAs”) to commence removal proceedings against Petitioners pursuant to 8 U.S.C. § 1227(a)(1)(B) for overstaying their nonimmigrant visas. A.R. 582-83; 604-05; 626-27. At Petitioners’ master calendar hearing, A.R. 114-20, Petitioners admitted the allegations in the NTAs, conceded the removability charge, and requested asylum, CAT protection, and withholding of removal as their relief. A.R. 116-17.