In other words, if your friend entered the US with inspection (airport, port, using a visa) then your friend could adjust status. But if your friend entered without inspection, for example through the border by just crossing it or requesting asylum then your friend even by being protected by TPS have no status. As a matter of fact someone years ago sued the government and it eventually reached the Supreme Court, and it was dismissed. If you had previous status you can adjust status, if you didn’t you can’t adjust status.
