It was mockery to use the term "Independent Worlds" in the past, because Houses had literally consumed these bordering systems while in-lore these systems rarely received law enforcement patrols and were generally lawless.
Furthermore corporate authority is also increased. Since they are the only ones directly having a reason to be there.
What was happening the past many years, was contradicting the lore. So yes, Jamie, it's totally a lore-friendly decision.
