This is what I think. Before the removal of 10,000 cap, there was one huge pile of asylum based I-485's at NSC and the officers would pick one file after another in chronological order. Things were slow.
Now that the cap has been removed, the pile of files has been broken into different groups and some are even sent to TSC or elsewhere. Because of this, everyday, various NDs are approved. Some 00, 01, and 02 are getting approved by various officers and at different locations now. Because of this, it is meaningless for USCIS to give us the date of the latest file its reviewing because some officers, depending on what section of that huge pile they are assigned to, are approving earlier and later dates.
Lastly, I think that for the next three years (fiscal years 05, 06, 07) USCIS is working towards adjudicating all the files and eliminating the backlog. Even if I'm wrong about this, the fiscal year of 2006 has just begun (it began last October) and it will last until September 30th of 2006, so we still have almost 11 more months left in 06.
But, what it comes down to is a big fat I DON'T KNOW! I truly do not know what is going on. My goal is to do as USCIS asks me. I send whatever they ask for and keep waiting. It's a waiting game. We are frustrated because our livelihoods are at stake here and this is something that USCIS does not have to worry about, but I just want to say that having asylum is also a true blessing and, even though I want my GC, I am grateful for my asylum.
I'll pray for you all and keep me in your prayers.