Guo's lawyer, Thomas Ragland, said today the billionaire filed an application for asylum and can stay in the US while it is under review.
The request poses a diplomatic quandary for the Trump administration, which must decide whether to expel a high- profile Chinese dissident or risk infuriating Beijing.
Chinese officials told the AP in August that Guo is being investigated in at least 19 major criminal cases that involve bribery, kidnapping, fraud, money laundering and rape. Guo has denied the allegations.