Applications and petitions for immigration benefits in August 2008 decreased 49 percent compared to the number received in August 2007. August 2008 approvals decreased by 21 percent, denials decreased by 28 percent, and pending decreased by 18 percent compared to August 2007.

	August 2008	August 2007	Change%	FY2008 to Date	FY 2007 to Date	Change %
Initial Receipts	344,810	674,671	-49%	3,998,776	5,694,853	-30%
Approvals/Oaths	379,682	674,671	-21%	4,322,025	4,267,124	1%
Denied	40,013	482,224	-28%	461,735	532,683	-13%
Pending	3,149,619	3,836,452	-18%	3,149,619	3,836,452	-18%

1.Major receipt volumes in August 2008 include: 102,437 I-765 employment authorizations; 50,851 I-130 immediate/all other petitions; 44,603 I-131 reentry permit/advance parole; 39,953 I-485 applications to adjust status; 26,191 I-129 forms filed; 25,466 I-90 green card renewals/replacements.

2.Major volumes of pending applications at the end of August 2008 include: 1,437,105 I-130 immediate/all other petitions; 711,193 I-485 applications to adjust status; 220,302 I-765 employment authorizations; 165,542 I-90 green card renewals/replacements; 142,932 I-751 remove conditions spouse jointly/waiver; 114,514 I-140 immigrant worker; 108,904 reentry permit/advance parole.

Footnote:Initial Receipts data only reflects the number of applications that USCIS was able to fee receipt and/or data enter into a case processing system. Applications currently held in USCIS mailroom facilities but not processed to the point of recognition as Initial Receipts are deemed frontlog cases. These frontlog cases are also not reflected in Pending figures.

Source:USCIS