Minor US Child; American Mom; Canadian Father, Work Visa

I have met a new acquaintance, who seems to have a very interesting legal issue, that seems rather rare......

Situation is thus, Canadian father of minor child, 5 years approx..... has spent about 10 years working for same company ( technical, telcom) on work visa..... child was accidental with live in American girlfriend. Custody, visitation and support orders on record in the US, as they broke up when child was approximately 2 years.
Now US employer has changed ownership, new company says " no foreign workers". If he had a green card, he would be able to maintain employment with this same company, and in this economy, changing employers is not looking so good. Out of work, the liklihood that he will meet his support obligations is minimal, and would leave this child without, not only financial support.... but also the influence of a father. This gentleman is very involved with his child and it would be a tragedy for this relationship to be breached, is there any possibility that he might be eligible for a green card, so he may remain in his child's life? I have seen advice online to both sides, yes, and no.....

North Carolina

You can't immigrate through a girlfriend or minor child. (There's a fiancée visa, but that doesn't apply because he's already in the U.S., and has no apparent plan to marry. It's also not a work visa - just a short-term visa to enter the U.S., marry, and initiate adjustment of status.)