>"Why should birthplace of a person be allowed as a criteria for discrimination."
Because that is the law of the land and it is fair since the number of green cards are allotted EQUALLY to all countries [1]. We just happen to be from a country where there are more number of applicants than green cards available. If it were discriminatory, why did the EB priority dates of China move up multiple years? It's because the EB applications from Chinese nationals have dropped considerably, not because the US is suddenly schmoozing to Chinese nationals.
> "you never heard of families under strain because 6 years into their Green Card application they had to suddenly leave"
Life events happen (do you expect your life to be smooth sailing?) and you have to take decisions based on it. Let me tell you something, H1B is way way more permissive than work visas in most of Europe and Middle East. Chew on that for a minute.
> "Or where someone on OPT couldn't leave to visit their dying parents"
This cannot be a regular occurrence. Again, this is hyperbole.
> "Or families torn apart. All that means nothing?"
Were you kidnapped from your family and brought to the US in a shipping container with 100's of other people? All of us "left our families" and came here with our own FREE WILL. No one brought you here against your free will.
I use "I" because these are my opinions and I don't speak for anyone else. I definitely do not empathize with hyperbole, I can tell you that :)
Please read the link below before passing judgments on hearsay.