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 Shenandoah Valley News publication area submitted 34 petitions during the same period, achieving an approval rate of 94.1%.
The Shenandoah Valley News publication area employers with the most petitions categorized under the Health Care and Social Assistance sector during 2024 included Valley Health System, which filed six petitions with an approval rate of 100%, Winchester Medical Center with two petitions and an approval rate of 100%, and Adult Care Center of the Northern Shenandoah Valley, Inc., which filed one petition with an approval rate of 0%.
Compared to 2023, the Health Care and Social Assistance sector in the Shenandoah Valley News publication area saw a 200% 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 | Health Care and Social Assistance | 9 | 26.5% | 88.9% | 11.1% |
| 1 | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 9 | 26.5% | 100% | 0% |
| 1 | Educational Services | 9 | 26.5% | 88.9% | 11.1% |
| 4 | Manufacturing | 4 | 11.8% | 100% | 0% |
| 5 | Information | 1 | 2.9% | 100% | 0% |
| 5 | Accommodation and Food Services | 1 | 2.9% | 100% | 0% |
| Company Name | Industry | Total Petitions | % Approved | % Denied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bigdata Dimension, Inc. | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 6 | 100% | 0% |
| Shenandoah University | Educational Services | 6 | 100% | 0% |
| Valley Health System | Health Care and Social Assistance | 6 | 100% | 0% |
| American Woodmark Corporation | Manufacturing | 3 | 100% | 0% |
| Christendom College, LLC | Educational Services | 2 | 50% | 50% |
| Winchester Medical Center | Health Care and Social Assistance | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| Adaptalytics, LLC | Information | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Adult Care Center of the Northern Shenandoah Valley, Inc. | Health Care and Social Assistance | 1 | 0% | 100% |
| Eastern Mennonite University | Educational Services | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Regulus Group, LLC | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Shri Padmavati, LLC | Accommodation and Food Services | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Snailkey, Inc. | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Terra Site Constructors, LLC | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Trex Company, Inc. | Manufacturing | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Winchester Cardiology and Vascular Medicine, P C | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 1 | 100% | 0% |
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