Cosa

I. FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND1

Adriana Cosa fled Romania for the United States in August 2001. Cosa later sought asylum and withholding of removal on the grounds of religious persecution. In her appli- cation, Cosa alleged that she was harassed, beaten, and raped by Romanian police for practicing her Millenist faith. Mille- nism is, according to Cosa, a Christian religion focused on the second coming of Christ and the end of human history. Cosa, whose family is Orthodox Christian, converted to Millenism in May of 2000 and was baptized soon after.

Millenism is not an officially recognized religion in Roma- nia. As a consequence, the Romanian government does not allow Millenists to receive state funds or build places of wor- ship. Nevertheless, Cosa and other followers practiced their faith by hosting and attending weekly religious meetings, and through evangelical activities, such as going door-to-door to raise awareness of the religion. Aside from the Bible, Millen- 1 This factual background is based on Cosa’s testimony and the declara- tions from her fellow Millenist worshipers. COSA v. MUKASEY 12865 ists in Romania do not use printed literature…