Q: Should we consolidate separate asylum applications filed in 2017?

A: I am surprised they issued you receipt notices for both cases field in 2017. In those years they did not have a system where both spouses can file separate asylum cases and be receipted.

Whether you should withdraw one case depends on several factors.

Are both cases strong? Or is one weaker than the other? Likelihood of approval is the biggest determining factor here.

The other consideration is that Fairfax asylum office usually holds on to the decision of a spouse's asylum case until the other spouse's asylum claim gets adjudicated. So if you want to follow both cases, they should be ready to make a decision in both of them for you to get a response in either case. You are lucky that they gave you interviews one they apart. Sometimes it takes years. So both should be adjudicated close to each other timewise.

Finally, maintenance of status must be examined. Are either of you maintaining your nonimmigrant status? If yes, even if the case gets denied you may continue staying in the US with your nonimmigrant status. if you are not maintaining your status, it would not matter, because you will either be approved and get the asylum, or will be denied and referred to court.

A: You're right to think carefully about this decision—it can have a real impact on how smoothly your case moves forward. Since both applications tell the same story, list each other as dependents, and include the same documents, consolidating the cases could reduce confusion and duplication during the asylum interview process. When USCIS sees nearly identical filings, it's often easier for the officer to evaluate them together, especially when the outcome will likely affect you both.

Consolidating can also help avoid the risk of conflicting outcomes, where one case is approved and the other is delayed or denied for unrelated reasons. It creates a unified presentation of your situation and shows consistency in your claim. If your cases remain separate, you may face longer processing times or more complex questions, especially if small discrepancies arise between interviews.

Since your interview dates are just one day apart, acting quickly to request consolidation could still be possible. If you both feel equally comfortable and confident with one person being the lead applicant, this could simplify the process and reduce stress. You're already thinking as a team—this step could help ensure you're treated as one. Trust your shared story and take the approach that brings the clearest path forward.