My friend is a permeant resident but his wife is here illegally.

Where it is fairly certain that an individual will become a US citizen, it is usually better to apply for a spouse after having obtained US citizenship. If the wife entered legally and has overstayed her visa status, your friend's becoming a citizen would allow his wife to adjust status in the US. If she entered illegally but has a clean record, e.g. – no crimes or fraud, she could possibly take advantage of the Obama administration's I-601A program under which she could apply for a waiver of the bar for staying in the US illegally prior to deciding whether to attend a consular interview outside the US for an immigrant visa. In contrast, if your friend was still a permanent resident, she would not be able to take advantage of the I-601A program, and if she wished to go overseas for an immigrant visa appointment when her priority date became current under the category for spouses of permanent residents, she would have to be first refused by the American consulate and then allowed to file for a waiver of the illegal stay bar during which she would have to remain outside the US while it was being adjudicated. 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

He should become a US citizen, then he can sponsor his wife relatively quickly, provided they will qualify for I-601A provisional waiver, or some other option.