Hello,
Not sure what requirements are for USA but i was able to obtain a visa to join my wife in UK.
My asylum was refused in Germany, i received a duldung because I couldn't be deported.
A duldung is not a permit but still shows you are tolerated in Germany.
I applied for my passport without telling Auslanderbehorde and applied for visa to join my wife and was accepted.
i'd wait for your friend to see what's the outcome for his proceedings are and then move from there