It is just a BS
There were incidents when former US presidents gave amnesty for illegal immigrants to become permenant residents with some conditions (like they should be living since 1980 or something) but what you heard is just a rumor. May be your freind referring to EB1 in which case you don\'t need a labor certification, and apply for 140 directly. Or Else, Trust me, that is a total BS and ofcourse I should know it if it is true as this is my 10th yr in US (F1+H1)
The sad thing is this country sometimes prefers illegals than legal immigrants by giving amnesty.