no_such_reality table 1 is “family-based”, table 2 is “employment based”. The family-based ones are backed up, not the job-based.
Others: this is the first time since 2003 that the employment-based visa status became fully “current”. It is not a broken record and it’s not at all the same as last year or the year before… There is a flurry of activity amongst the people in my industry regarding this matter. I’m an engineering consultant and my client companies are all up over this town. Take this info as you wish, my suspicion is that this is one of many political attempts to slow the bubble implosion. Sure, people can buy without a green card but many hold off until their future is more certain. I just talked to yet another coworker who bought a townhome in 4S Ranch. I hope this is all just a coincidence, but one must keep his eyes and ears open to all possibilities in these crazy times.