Most of what you listed my wife did not have to do to get her green card or the initial entry visa. It may have been because I was military - plus this was back in ‘94.
Yes, there have been changes to the immigration laws over time and different interpretations by our government officials here and abroad. Also, as I said different rules for different countries. Our mistake was not realizing the many intricacies in immigration law. We now have an excellent lawyer and she has subsequently helped others we know immigrate to the US LEGALLY and become US citizens.