change of status without leaving country

As your friend entered the country legally, he could adjust his status to permanent residence through sponsorship by an immediate relative such as a U. S. citizen spouse or child as long as the child is over the age of 21. He could also take advantage of the Obama administration’s I-601A program when it is expanded to other classes next year in order to obtain a waiver of his overstay in the U. S. prior to making a decision of whether to attend an immigrant visa interview overseas if he has a permanent resident wife or one of his parent is a U. S. citizen or permanent resident. Such waiver would be based upon extreme hardship to the spouse or parent if your friend had to leave the country permanently. Due to the limitations of the Lawyers.com Forums, Alan Lee, Esq.'s (the "Firm") participation in responding to questions posted herein does not constitute legal advice, nor legal representation of the person or entity posting a question. No Attorney/Client relationship is or shall be construed to be created hereby. The information provided herein by the Firm is general, and requires that the poster obtain specific legal advice from an attorney. The poster shall not rely upon the information provided herein as legal advice nor as the basis for making any decisions of legal consequence.