You may be eligible to apply for asylum if you fear persecution based on political opinion, religion, or another protected ground. You must apply within one year of your arrival in the U.S. unless you qualify for an exception.

A friend of mine filed for asylum under similar circumstances, and USCIS let him stay in the U.S. while his case was pending. He also received work authorization after his asylum application had been pending for 150 days.

If asylum feels too uncertain, you could explore Temporary Protected Status (TPS), if it's designated for your country. TPS provides temporary legal status and protection from deportation, even if your asylum case is still undecided.

You might also consider applying for withholding of removal if you’re not eligible for asylum due to the one-year filing deadline. While it doesn’t offer a path to a green card, it can still protect you from being deported and allow you to apply for a work permit.