The USCIS processing dates are just an estimate
They say that application with RD of Nov 17 1999 forward will be processed between Oct 2004 and Sept 2005.
However, some people on this forum with RD of March and April 2000 posted that they already received an appointment for fingerprinting.
The 22,000 figure will probably not be appealed by the government but they probably just need some time to satisfy the internal bueraucratic requirements before they start using the available numbers ordered by court.
My RD is Feb 24, 2000 and I haven't received anything yet but I surely hope they will use those court ordered 22,000 GCs very soon.
Alex