Question:

The investor MUST obtain status either before or at the same time as the dependent family members. In your situation YOU must enter the U.S. to activate your status before she can file for adjustment. IF she is already in the U.S. pursuant to her own visa such as a valid student or work (H1,-B L-1, O-1 ETC..., F-1, M-1, AND PREFERABLY NEVER J-1 OR J-2) non-immigrant visa, then she could file for adjustment after you enter. It is often children on F-1 student visas that do this rather than spouses but it does happen that way once in a while. Sneaking in on a tourist visa should end with denial for fraud, wilfull misrepresentation. Then she'd have to go abroad and file for consular processing plus file a waiver application.