By the way, I agree with you that the legal status is very important for EOS/COS and if a person violate the status (out of status), it is difficult for him to do EOS/COS within US. I am very clear about violation of status (out of status).
All my posts here are related to what the lawful presence means, what results in unlawful presence and what consequence of violation of status will be besides affecting EOS/COS. We know unlawful presence may result in removal or other penalties in some cases. If violation of status (with unexpired I-94) only affect EOS/COS and nothing else, a person with violation of status can just stay in US (no matter whether it is called lawful presence or not) and levave US before the I-94 expires and then, get a visa to reenter US in the future.
I have not found any law stating that violation of status (with unexpired I-94) can result in removal or other penalties other than affecting EOS/COS.
