Ted H. Kim, Associate Director Refugee, Asylum and International Operations Directorate for USCIS | https://www.naco.org/
Ted H. Kim, Associate Director Refugee, Asylum and International Operations Directorate for USCIS | https://www.naco.org/
Employers are classified under industries based on their reported operations and may be involved in multiple industries.
The H-1B visa program allows U.S. employers to temporarily hire foreign workers in specialty occupations requiring specialized knowledge and at least a bachelor’s degree or equivalent. It is designed to address skill gaps in the U.S. workforce while ensuring wage standards to protect both U.S. and H-1B workers. Employers must certify that they will pay H-1B workers wages equal to or greater than those of similarly qualified U.S. employees or the prevailing local wage.
The average approval rate for H-1B petitions across the United States in 2024 stood at 98%, slightly higher than 2023's 97.3%. Locally, employers across all industries located within the Union News publication area submitted 131 petitions during the same period, achieving an approval rate of 97.7%.
While the Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services industry led the H-1B filings with 84 petitions, representing 64.1% of all submissions in the Union News publication area during 2024, the next largest contributor was the Educational Services industry, which accounted for 29 petitions and represented 22.1% of the total. Among petitions from employers in the Educational Services industry, 96.6% were approved and 3.4% were denied.
Among local employers with petitions categorized under the Retail Trade sector during 2024, Harris Teeter, LLC stood out with four petitions and an approval rate of 100%, followed by Agoztech, LLC with one petition and an approval rate of 100%.
Compared to 2023, the Retail Trade sector in the Union News publication area saw a 50% decrease in the number of H-1B petitions during 2024.
The United States admits around 1 million legal immigrants annually, most of whom receive permanent residence (green cards) through family sponsorship or employment-based visas. In 2023, about 1.2 million immigrants were granted green cards, a return to pre-pandemic levels. Temporary visa programs, such as the H-1B for highly skilled workers and H-2A for seasonal agricultural workers, also play a critical role in filling workforce needs.
Public opinion on immigration varies, with 46% of Americans favoring maintaining current legal immigration levels, according to a 2024 Pew Research Center survey. Additionally, 42% believe that highly skilled workers, such as scientists, doctors, and programmers, should be prioritized for legal immigration, compared to 25% who prioritize workers filling labor shortages and 19% who emphasize family sponsorship. Despite this, family sponsorship remains the most common path to permanent residency, accounting for 63% of green cards issued in 2023.
The data in this article comes from the H-1B Employer Data Hub provided by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). While USCIS strives for accuracy, manual data entry and errors on paper forms submitted by applicants or petitioners may result in discrepancies in employer names, tax IDs, locations, or other details.
| Rank | Industry | Total Petitions | % of All Submissions | % Approved | % Denied |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 84 | 64.1% | 97.6% | 2.4% |
| 2 | Educational Services | 29 | 22.1% | 96.6% | 3.4% |
| 3 | Retail Trade | 5 | 3.8% | 100% | 0% |
| 3 | Manufacturing | 5 | 3.8% | 100% | 0% |
| 5 | Wholesale Trade | 1 | 0.8% | 100% | 0% |
| 5 | Other Services (except Public Administration) | 1 | 0.8% | 100% | 0% |
| 5 | Construction | 1 | 0.8% | 100% | 0% |
| 5 | Public Administration | 1 | 0.8% | 100% | 0% |
| Company Name | Industry | Total Petitions | % Approved | % Denied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aanvi Cloud Technologies, Inc. | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 23 | 95.7% | 4.3% |
| Anson County Schools | Educational Services | 19 | 94.7% | 5.3% |
| Regent Strategic Solutions, LLC | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 15 | 100% | 0% |
| Ecom Solutions, Inc. | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 14 | 100% | 0% |
| Pantar Solutions, Inc. | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 8 | 100% | 0% |
| Tribis, Inc. | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 4 | 100% | 0% |
| TGS Technology, LLC | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 4 | 100% | 0% |
| Data Analytix, LLC | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 4 | 100% | 0% |
| Infodyne Solutions, LLC | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 4 | 75% | 25% |
| Harris Teeter, LLC | Retail Trade | 4 | 100% | 0% |
| Maven Technologies, LLC | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 3 | 100% | 0% |
| Ilim Community Partners, LLC | Educational Services | 3 | 100% | 0% |
| Eplanet Consultants, Inc. | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 3 | 100% | 0% |
| Union Academy Charter School | Educational Services | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| Boomerang Water, LLC | Manufacturing | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| Richmond County Schools | Educational Services | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| Wingate University | Educational Services | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Vanguard Pai Lung, LLC | Manufacturing | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Union County Public Schools | Public Administration | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Agoztech, LLC | Retail Trade | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Socrates Academy | Educational Services | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Carotek, Inc. | Wholesale Trade | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Random Bit, LLC | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Cem Holdings Corporation | Manufacturing | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Neo Flooring, LLC | Construction | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Covenant Christian Academy of Monr | Other Services (except Public Administration) | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| MA ART and Design, LLC | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Kaizer Software Solutions, LLC | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Eight Plus Sixteen, LLC | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Elint Pro Solution, LLC | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Elint Pro Solutions, LLC | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Greiner Bio-One North America, Inc. | Manufacturing | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| First XI Football, LLC | Educational Services | 1 | 100% | 0% |
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