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 NW Illinois News publication area submitted 40 petitions during the same period, achieving an approval rate of 95%.
The Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services industry led the H-1B filings in the NW Illinois News publication area during 2024, with 13 petitions (32.5% of all submissions), and an approval rate of 100%.
The NW Illinois News publication area employers with the most petitions categorized under the Manufacturing sector during 2024 included Wahl Clipper Corporation, which filed five petitions with an approval rate of 100%, Borgwarner Dixon, LLC with three petitions and an approval rate of 100%, and Sewer Equipment Company of America, which filed two petitions with an approval rate of 100%.
Compared to 2023, the Manufacturing sector in the NW Illinois News publication area saw a 175% increase 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 | 13 | 32.5% | 100% | 0% |
| 2 | Manufacturing | 11 | 27.5% | 100% | 0% |
| 2 | Health Care and Social Assistance | 11 | 27.5% | 81.8% | 18.2% |
| 4 | Transportation and Warehousing | 3 | 7.5% | 100% | 0% |
| 5 | Retail Trade | 1 | 2.5% | 100% | 0% |
| 5 | Educational Services | 1 | 2.5% | 100% | 0% |
| Company Name | Industries | Total Petitions | % Approved | % Denied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SK Soft Systems, LLC | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 6 | 100% | 0% |
| Wahl Clipper Corporation | Manufacturing | 5 | 100% | 0% |
| Rochelle Community Hospital | Health Care and Social Assistance | 5 | 60% | 40% |
| Borgwarner Dixon, LLC | Manufacturing | 3 | 100% | 0% |
| Crusaders Central Clinic Associati | Health Care and Social Assistance | 3 | 100% | 0% |
| Willett Hofmann Associates, Inc. | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| Sewer Equipment Company of America | Manufacturing | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| Halo Branded Solutions, Inc. | Retail Trade, Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| Fredonia, Inc. | Transportation and Warehousing | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| CGH Medical Center | Health Care and Social Assistance | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| Bounteous, Inc. | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| Mechanical, Inc. | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Oseh, Inc. | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Erie Group International, Inc. | Manufacturing | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Shady Oak Dental, LLC | Health Care and Social Assistance | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Code 1 Aviation, LLC | Transportation and Warehousing | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Wheaton College | Educational Services | 1 | 100% | 0% |
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