can husband apply for out of status wife in US

[ssanndy]

My friend's husband is applying for compassionate ground in canada.
But his wife and kids are in the US and the wife overstayed her visitors visa in the US
therfore she is out of status

Can he still apply for her to take her and his kids with him in canada? ( kids are Americans)
or does she have to go back to her home country in order for him to apply for her?
their home country are 2 different country.