Guys, All of your frustation is understandable, but think from INS point of view. Its a situation like Parents imposing some rules and conditions to their children and children dont like restrictions on them. We are thinking from children point of view. we can understand totally if we think from parent's
point of view.
Let me take another example here. why do we have to register our automotive car every year. This is becuase, car can be used as a weapon to hit and kill somebody. By registering every year, Govt. is having upto date information about a person holding the car. Especially owner's current address and status.
Similarly, EAD and AP are two different things and GC processing is like a background processing of getting a permanent residentship while you are working on valid documents like work authorization H1, L1, EAD or any other work visas and Travelling like AP.
After applying 485, if one is given liberty of working and travelling free and a person commits crime. A person can very well change address and hide somewhere after applying 485. Applying EAD and AP yearly is a process which helps them to keep upto date information about a person. similary 2nd FP too. During the entire processing stage, INS learns that our skills are very much required in united states, A person will not become public charge, a person meets all of its requirement to become perm. resident and eventually citizen then they issue what is called GC which ultimately can become eligibility to apply for citizenship.
Remember, Applying and Acquiring a GC is a privilege and not a right.
It is also a fact that there are unexpected delays by USCIS for adjudication of applications.
Guys...I am not trying to be critical here. its just that I expressed my views.
Thanks....