Jennifer B. Higgins, Deputy Director, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services | https://medium.com/the-u-s-digital-service/meet-the-dhs-digital-service-champions-may-2018-caee7dade2b
Jennifer B. Higgins, Deputy Director, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services | https://medium.com/the-u-s-digital-service/meet-the-dhs-digital-service-champions-may-2018-caee7dade2b
That year, the statewide average approval rate for H-1B petitions stood at 98.6%, the same as in the previous year. Across the publication area, employers across all industries submitted 25 petitions during the same period, with an approval rate of 100%.
For comparison, the U.S. reported an average approval rate of 98% in 2024.
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 Health Care and Social Assistance industry led the H-1B filings in WC Minnesota News publication area during 2024, with nine petitions (36% of all submissions), and an approval rate of 100%. Meanwhile, the Educational Services industry was the second largest contributor, filing seven petitions (28% of the total), with an approval rate of 100%.
Compared to 2023, the Wholesale Trade sector saw an unchanged number of H-1B petitions across WC Minnesota News publication area 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 | Health Care and Social Assistance | 9 | 36% | 100% | 0% |
| 2 | Educational Services | 7 | 28% | 100% | 0% |
| 3 | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 5 | 20% | 100% | 0% |
| 4 | Manufacturing | 3 | 12% | 100% | 0% |
| 5 | Wholesale Trade | 1 | 4% | 100% | 0% |
| Company Name | Industry | Total Petitions | % Approved | % Denied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arvig Enterprises, Inc. | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| CHI St. Joseph S Health Park Rapids MN | Health Care and Social Assistance | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| Independent School District No 206 | Educational Services | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| University of Minnesota | Educational Services | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Tuffys Pet Foods, Inc. | Manufacturing | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Stevens Community Medical Center | Health Care and Social Assistance | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| St. Francis Medical Center | Health Care and Social Assistance | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Reverence for Life and Concern for People, Inc. | Health Care and Social Assistance | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Moorhead Area Public Schools ISD 152 | Educational Services | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Medical College of Wisconsin, Inc. | Educational Services | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| LGC US Service Company, Inc. | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| LGC Genomics, LLC | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Independent School District 261 | Educational Services | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Hutchinson Health | Health Care and Social Assistance | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Healthpartners RC | Health Care and Social Assistance | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Golberg Companies, Inc. | Manufacturing | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Carris Health, LLC | Health Care and Social Assistance | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Bold Public Schools | Educational Services | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Axis Clinicals, LLC | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Avicenna Technology, Inc. | Manufacturing | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Avera Granite Falls | Health Care and Social Assistance | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Agcode, Inc. | Wholesale Trade | 1 | 100% | 0% |
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