i don't know if times are tough... and i am not advising anyone to follow on my footsteps but after having been in USA for over 8 yrs, i've never filed NR. always 1040 EZ or 1040. i've been on f-1, h1-b and now a GC. never faced any problems and don't think i will in future. never had to show any tax paper to anybody. i know a lot of foreigners who do the same. but i think you'll be better off filing NR forms. at least you're following the law.