Applications for Immigration Benefits
Immigration application receipts increased 15 percent compared to the number received in October 2009. October 2010 approvals increased by 12 percent, denials decreased by 20 percent, and pending decreased less than 12% compared to October 2009.

Immigration Applications
October 2010
Received: 371,558      Approved: 405,853       Denied: 44,800       Pending: 1,591,650 
October 2009
Received: 323,769      Approved: 361,836       Denied: 56,270       Pending: 1,815,683
% Change
Received: 15%           Approved: 12%            Denied: -20%         Pending: -12%  
FY 2011 to Date
Received: 371,558      Approved: 405,853       Denied: 44,800       Pending: 1,591,650
FY 2010 to Date
Received: 323,769      Approved: 361,836       Denied: 56,270       Pending: 1,815,683
% Change
Received: 15%           Approved: 12%            Denied: -20%         Pending: -12%
Total FY 2009
Received: 4,831,454   Approved: 4,618,148    Denied: 575,594      Pending:1,655,606

Major receipt volumes in October 2010 include: 80,848 I-765 employment authorizations; 69,144 I-821 temporary protected status; 64,281 I-130 immediate/all other petitions; 59,976 I-90 green card renewals/replacements; 53,707 I-485 applications to adjust status; 30,362 I-131 travel document/advance parole: 25,340 I-129 forms filed.

Major volumes of pending applications at the end of October 2010 include: 425,740 I-130 immediate/all other petitions; 387,294 I-485 applications to adjust status; 182,441 I-765 employment authorizations; 174,310 I-90 green card renewals/replacements; 79,184 I-129 forms filed; 73,651 I-131 travel document/advance; 66,578 I-821 temporary protected status.

Naturalization Applications
Naturalization receipts in October 2009 decreased 28 percent when compared to October 2008, while approvals/oaths decreased by 37 percent and denials decreased 66 percent.
October 2009
Initial Receipts: 53,622     Approved/Oaths: 48,343     Denied: 4,720     Pending: 233,137 
October 2008
Initial Receipts: 74,849    Approved/Oaths:76,713       Denied: 13,827    Pending: 462,441
% Change
Initial Receipts: -28%        Approved/Oaths: -37%          Denied: -66%      Pending: -50%
FY 2010 to Date
Initial Receipts: 53,622     Approved/Oaths: 48,343     Denied: 4,720     Pending: 233,137
FY 2009 to Date
Initial Receipts: 74,849     Approved/Oaths:76,713      Denied: 13,827    Pending: 462,441
% Change
Initial Receipts: -28%        Approved/Oaths: -37%          Denied: -66%      Pending: -50%
Total FY 2009
Initial Receipts: 570,442   Approved/Oaths: 741,982   Denied: 109,832   Pending: 230,174

The number of pending N-400 cases reached 233,137 in October 2009, a decrease of 50 percent compared to the same month in fiscal year 2009.