Applications and petitions for immigration benefits in February 2003 decreased 24 percent compared to the number received in February 2002. February approvals were down 31 percent, while denials decreased by 15 percent when compared to February 2002. For the first five months of fiscal YEAR 2004, receipts decreased less than 1 percent, while approvals decreased 27 percent compared to the same period for fiscal year 2002.

Data Source: PAS G-22.2

 

• The drop in initial receipts for February 2003 represents an undercount for the Vermont and California Service Centers due to a misclassification of receipts as cases transferred-in in updated software. This software will be corrected for the next reporting period and the February receipts will be revised upward.

   

• Total immigration application pending cases reached 4,944,042, a 34 percent increase when compared to February 2002.

   

   

• Major volumes in February 2003 receipts include: 103,610 I-765 employment authorizations; 52,474 I-485 permanent resident adjustments; 49,720 I-130 relative petitions; and 38,420 I-90 Green Card renewals/ replacements.

   

   

• Major volumes of pending cases at the end of February 2003 include: 1,746,484 I-130 relative petitions; 1,094,920 I-485 permanent resident adjustments; 713,893 I-90 Green Card renewals/replacements; and 400,632 I-765 employment authorizations.