Does anyone think differently?

You have a one year limit sans a few exceptions to file an asylum claim from when you enter the country. Your lawyer will know your facts better than any of us. If you need to speak to another one, click the link at the top that says find a lawyer. Speak to an experienced asylum lawyer.

I disagree. If you need a second opinion, take your case to another attorney for review and consultation.

Completely wrong advice. Now contact an immigration lawyer with adequate asylum law experience for a correct opinion and analysis of your particular asylum claim.

These 3 attorney responses are all correct. You have 1 YEAR, as in 12 MONTHS, from when you first entered the US in order to file an asylum claim. My experience is that asylum cases are hard to win & very tricky & once you have exceeded the 1 year filing deadline, the exceptions to it are very hard to meet. You already know that the J-1 visa is not a direct pathway to permanent residence, but winning an asylum case IS. However, the penalty/consequence of losing an asylum case is that you will be placed in deportation aka In Removal Proceedings immediately afterwards.

As the others have said, you only have a year to file your claim. No need to wait for the J-1 to expire as the asylum case will take several years anyway. But you can get a work permit fairly quickly. Act now.