I have a pending I-485 based on Asylum but my BF (USC) and I want to get married

[mmbt]

Hey guys!

I have a dilemma. I sent my Adjustment of Status Application based on asylum granted about 4 months ago. I know is too soon to expect any answer from USCIS, but I have read many cases in Texas Service Center (where my application is) also based on asylum that have been pending for 18 months and even 2 years, and apparently the backlog is 27k!

My boyfriend and I have been together for 3 years now, he is a US Citizen but his family lives abroad and I haven't been able to visit them because I can't leave the country, plus there has been a couple of weddings of friends and family I haven't been able to attend with him because of this situation.

I really want to get my greencard soon so I can also request a Refugee Travel Document (my passport is expired and I honestly don't want to use it anyways) but it seems that I won't be able to travel for a while.

We were both thinking that maybe if we get married and file for a greencard through him might be a good idea? Because is faster and it would definitely solve this situation for us. I already spent $1200+ on the application and will definitely have to spend more money than that again to file if we get married, but I wanted to post this here to get some opinions. We are not sure about what to do.

Any ideas?

[azblk]

Hey guys!

I have a dilemma. I sent my Adjustment of Status Application based on asylum granted about 4 months ago. I know is too soon to expect any answer from USCIS, but I have read many cases in Texas Service Center (where my application is) also based on asylum that have been pending for 18 months and even 2 years, and apparently the backlog is 27k!

My boyfriend and I have been together for 3 years now, he is a US Citizen but his family lives abroad and I haven't been able to visit them because I can't leave the country, plus there has been a couple of weddings of friends and family I haven't been able to attend with him because of this situation.

I really want to get my greencard soon so I can also request a Refugee Travel Document (my passport is expired and I honestly don't want to use it anyways) but it seems that I won't be able to travel for a while.

We were both thinking that maybe if we get married and file for a greencard through him might be a good idea? Because is faster and it would definitely solve this situation for us. I already spent $1200+ on the application and will definitely have to spend more money than that again to file if we get married, but I wanted to post this here to get some opinions. We are not sure about what to do.

Any ideas?

As an asylee you qualify for a refugee travel document.

I dont think you would be able to adjust your status faster as the spouse of a USC. There are also several advantages of a green card based on granted asylum as it last 10 years vs 2 years that you would receive if you married your boyfriend. Asylum based green card also is not subject to public charge rules.

If i was in your shoes I would wait for my Asylum based AOS

[mau101]

Hey guys!

I have a dilemma. I sent my Adjustment of Status Application based on asylum granted about 4 months ago. I know is too soon to expect any answer from USCIS, but I have read many cases in Texas Service Center (where my application is) also based on asylum that have been pending for 18 months and even 2 years, and apparently the backlog is 27k!

My boyfriend and I have been together for 3 years now, he is a US Citizen but his family lives abroad and I haven't been able to visit them because I can't leave the country, plus there has been a couple of weddings of friends and family I haven't been able to attend with him because of this situation.

I really want to get my greencard soon so I can also request a Refugee Travel Document (my passport is expired and I honestly don't want to use it anyways) but it seems that I won't be able to travel for a while.

We were both thinking that maybe if we get married and file for a greencard through him might be a good idea? Because is faster and it would definitely solve this situation for us. I already spent $1200+ on the application and will definitely have to spend more money than that again to file if we get married, but I wanted to post this here to get some opinions. We are not sure about what to do.

Any ideas?

which state do you live? for the most part AOS interview through marriage is taking 14 to 24 months depending on the field office. You can check the processing time according to your field office then decide which one is better. I would suggest stay with Asylum. plus new application would cost you more a less $ 1700.

[mmbt]

I live in Florida. Thank you guys for taking the time in giving your opinion, I was thinking the same thing but definitely my boyfriend and I were considering that option after seeing that Texas Service Center has 27,000 I-485 cases pending in the category of humanitarian reasons only. Guess the only thing we can do is wait.

[mmbt]

As an asylee you qualify for a refugee travel document.

I dont think you would be able to adjust your status faster as the spouse of a USC. There are also several advantages of a green card based on granted asylum as it last 10 years vs 2 years that you would receive if you married your boyfriend. Asylum based green card also is not subject to public charge rules.

If i was in your shoes I would wait for my Asylum based AOS

Yeah but now that I am in the process of adjustment of status I read that is not recommended at all to leave the country. I honestly don't know anybody with asylum that left the US and came back to tell the story, the risk of not being able to come back is too high.

[azblk]

Yeah but now that I am in the process of adjustment of status I read that is not recommended at all to leave the country. I honestly don't know anybody with asylum that left the US and came back to tell the story, the risk of not being able to come back is too high.

I am asking this for my personal knowledge - why would there be any risks associated with leaving the country while on asylum with a i-131 beyond the same risks anyone else faces? Once you have you travel document is means the USCIS has issued you permission to leave and return. I think you would be fine as long as you don't go to country of origin.