Applications for Immigration Benefits
Immigration application receipts increased 64 percent compared to the number received in September 2009. September 2010 approvals increased by 31 percent, denials decreased by 29 percent, and pending decreased less than 12% compared to September 2009.

Immigration Applications
September 2010
Received: 518,270      Approved: 543,082      Denied: 50,825      Pending: 1,655,860 
September 2009
Received: 315,615      Approved: 414,137      Denied: 72,023      Pending: 1,890,356 
% Change
Received: 64%           Approved: 31%           Denied: -29%        Pending: -12%  
FY 2010 to Date
Received: 4,831,469   Approved: 4,612,648   Denied: 575,591    Pending: 1,655,860
FY 2009 to Date
Received: 4,510,694   Approved: 5,069,169   Denied: 751,254    Pending: 1,890,356
% Change
Received: 7%            Approved: -9%           Denied: -23%         Pending: -12%
Total FY 2009
Received: 4,510,694  Approved: 5,069,169   Denied: 751,254     Pending: 1,890,356 |

Major receipt volumes in September 2010 include: 149,952 I-765 employment authorizations; 69,144 I-821 temporary protected status; 62,924 I-130 immediate/all other petitions; 61,018 I-90 green card renewals/replacements; 53,166 I-485 applications to adjust status; 30,606 I-131 travel document/advance parole: 30,531 I-129 forms filed.

Major volumes of pending applications at the end of September 2010 include: 429,023 I-130 immediate/all other petitions; 377,362 I-485 applications to adjust status; 221,338 I-765 employment authorizations; 162,130 I-90 green card renewals/replacements; 118,029 I-821 temporary protected status; 82,082 I-129 forms filed; 71,491 I-131 travel document/advance.

Naturalization Applications
Naturalization receipts in September 2010 increased 7 percent when compared to September 2009, while approvals/oaths increased by 4 percent and denials decreased 25 percent.
September 2010
Received: 57,159    Approved/Denied: 67,407     Denied: 5,613     Pending: 290,480
September 2009
Received: 53,335    Approved/Denied: 64,832     Denied: 7,455     Pending: 230,113
% Change
Received: 7%       Approved/Denied: 4%          Denied: -25%      Pending: 26%

FY 2010 to Date
Received: 710,545  Approved/Denied: 619,065   Denied: 56,990    Pending: 290,480
FY 2009 to Date
Received: 570,442  Approved/Denied: 741,982   Denied: 109,832    Pending: 230,113
% Change
Received: 25%       Approved/Denied: -17%       Denied: -48%      Pending: 26%
Total FY 2009
Received: 570,442  Approved/Denied: 741,982  Denied: 109,832   Pending: 230,120

The number of pending N-400 cases reached 290,480 in September 2010, an increase of 26 percent compared to the same month in fiscal year 2009.