Applications for Immigration Benefits
Immigration application receipts decreased 29 percent compared to the number received in September 2010. September 2011 approvals decreased by 38 percent, denials decreased by 23 percent, and pending increased less than 6% compared to September 2010.

Immigration Applications
September 2011
Received: 365,897 Approved: 342,840 Denied: 39,052 Pending: 1,756,213
September 2010
Received: 518,255 Approved: 548,582 Denied: 50,825 Pending: 1,655,597
% Change
Received: -29%     Approved: -38%     Denied: -23%   Pending: 6%  
FY 2011 to Date
Received: 4,564,198  Approved: 4,211,170 Denied: 449,271 Pending: 1,756,213
FY 2010 to Date
Received: 4,830,613  Approved: 4,618,116 Denied: 575,597 Pending: 1,655,597
% Change
Received: -6%          Approved: -9%          Denied: -22%     Pending: 6%
Total FY 2010
Received: 4,830,613 Approved: 4,618,116  Denied: 575,597 Pending: 1,655,597

Major receipt volumes in September 2011 include: 77,928 I-90 green card renewals/replacements; 68,216 I-765 employment authorizations; 55,362 I-130 immediate/all other petitions; 43,393 I-485 applications to adjust status; 34,235 I-129 forms filed; 19,299 I-131 travel document/advance parole.

Major volumes of pending applications at the end of September 2011 include: 514,094 I-130 immediate/all other petitions; 351,785 I-485 applications to adjust status; 308,134 I-90 green card renewals/replacements; 143,493 I-765 employment authorizations; 110,095 I-751 remove conditions spouse jointly/waive; 69,988 I-129 forms filed; 58,7065 I-131 travel document/advance parole.

Naturalization Applications
Naturalization receipts in September 2011 increased 1 percent when compared to September 2010, while approvals/oaths and denials stayed flat.
September 2011
Received: 57,906   Approved/Oaths: 67,673  Denied: 5,616   Pending: 311,894
September 2010
Received: 57,159   Approved/Oaths: 67,407  Denied: 5,613   Pending: 291,833
% Change
Received: 1%        Approved/Oaths: 0%       Denied: 0%      Pending: 7%
FY 2011 to Date
Received: 756,008 Approved/Oaths: 690,705 Denied: 57,065 Pending: 311,894
FY 2010 to Date
Received: 710,544 Approved/Oaths: 619,075 Denied: 56,994 Pending: 291,833
% Change
Received: 6%        Approved/Oaths:12%       Denied: 0%      Pending: 7%
Total FY 2010
Received: 710,544 Approved/Oaths: 619,075 Denied: 56,994 Pending: 291,833

The number of pending N-400 cases reached 311,894 in September 2011, an increase of 7 percent compared to the same month in fiscal year 2010.