Since I am in the immigration system, I can tell you that Immigration deliberately works at cross-purposes. Those of us here legally and who are in the system for permanent residency have to jump through hoops like crazy. Immigration looks for the slightest reason to deny applications and/or to find reasons to deport you. People following the rules are the low hanging fruit and Immigration gets to look tough on immigration practices in order to make up for their incompetence when it comes to dealing with illegal aliens. This way they can say they are enforcing the laws, doing a good job and deflecting criticism away from the illeagls issues.
This is the best and most concise description I have ever seen about the functioning of the INS. They get their "stats" and/or job satisfaction by refusing a certain number of applications. It is akin to cops stopping folks for not wearing seatbelts instead of those who are driving dangerously.