It’s possible to have both an asylum case and a marriage-based petition at the same time, but each path has different implications. Asylum is based on fear of persecution, while marriage-based adjustment is based on your relationship. Some people keep asylum as a backup while pursuing adjustment through marriage. However, once you receive permanent residence through marriage, the asylum case becomes unnecessary. A careful review of your asylum timeline, work authorization, and travel plans is important before making any decision.

Many applicants face this situation and there is no one-size-fits-all answer. Marriage-based adjustment can sometimes move faster and offer more stability, especially if the marriage is well documented. On the other hand, asylum cases can take years but do not require a sponsor. It’s important to avoid inconsistencies between your asylum story and your marriage application. Consulting an immigration attorney to review both filings together can help you avoid conflicts.

I went through this decision myself and chose to pursue marriage-based adjustment while keeping asylum pending. USCIS allowed both processes to exist at the same time. Once my green card was approved, my asylum case was closed. The key is honesty and consistency in all filings, since discrepancies can cause serious problems.