SOunds like someone is feeding you a BS Sandwich.
I have installed lights on the 08's without issue. ...and that was for a dealer.
You can run your light wires down the outside of the A pillar and sneak the switch wires around the DRSD door boot OR through the firewall boot(s). There is no reason you have to run through the inside of the A pillar to get the wires run.
Sounds like your dealer hasn;t done any research other than "OH, there's an Airbag there now, and we're too lazy to figure it out."