Applications and petitions for immigration benefits in September 2008 decreased 30 percent compared to the number received in September 2000. September 2008 approvals decreased by 19 percent, denials decreased by 7 percent, and pending decreased by 19 percent compared to September 2007.

	September 2008	September 2007	% Chang	FY 2008 to Date	FY 2007 to Date	% Change
Initial Receipts	320,019	454,858	30%	4,319,127	6,149,711	-30%
Approved	361,636	443,860	-19%	4,684,090	4,710,983	-1%
Denied	45,594	48,828	-7%	507,402	581,511	-13%
Pending	3,073,415	3,790,190	-19%	3,073,415	3,790,190	-19%

Major receipt volumes in September 2008 include: 85,854 I-765 employment authorizations; 54,191 I-130 immediate/all other petitions; 40,326 I-485 applications to adjust status; 30,366 I-131 reentry permit/advance parole; 26,121 I-90 green card renewals/replacements; 24,317 I-129 forms filed..

Major volumes of pending applications at the end of September 2008 include: 1,445,802 I-130 immediate/all other petitions; 697,144 I-485 applications to adjust status; 194,561 I-765 employment authorizations; 168,336 I-90 green card renewals/replacements; 147,146 I-751 remove conditions spouse jointly/waiver; 106,367 I-140 immigrant worker.

Footnote: ¡¡ãInitial 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.