Ur Mendoza Jaddou, Director of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (left) and Jennifer B. Higgins, Deputy Director. | https://www.uscis.gov/about-us/organization/leadership
Ur Mendoza Jaddou, Director of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (left) and Jennifer B. Higgins, Deputy Director. | https://www.uscis.gov/about-us/organization/leadership
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 SC Minnesota News publication area submitted 35 petitions during the same period, achieving an approval rate of 100%.
The Educational Services industry led the H-1B filings in the SC Minnesota News publication area during 2024, with 14 petitions (40% of all submissions), and an approval rate of 100%. Meanwhile, the Manufacturing industry was the second largest contributor, filing nine petitions (25.7% of the total), with an approval rate of 100%.
Compared to 2023, the Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services sector in the SC Minnesota News publication area saw a 400% 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 | Educational Services | 14 | 40% | 100% | 0% |
| 2 | Manufacturing | 9 | 25.7% | 100% | 0% |
| 3 | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 5 | 14.3% | 100% | 0% |
| 4 | Public Administration | 2 | 5.7% | 100% | 0% |
| 4 | Health Care and Social Assistance | 2 | 5.7% | 100% | 0% |
| 6 | Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services | 1 | 2.9% | 100% | 0% |
| 6 | Other Services (except Public Administration) | 1 | 2.9% | 100% | 0% |
| 6 | Wholesale Trade | 1 | 2.9% | 100% | 0% |
| Company Name | Industry | Total Petitions | % Approved | % Denied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minnesota State University Mankato | Educational Services | 8 | 100% | 0% |
| Taylor Corporation | Manufacturing | 5 | 100% | 0% |
| University of Minnesota | Educational Services | 4 | 100% | 0% |
| Hormel Foods Corporate Services LL | Manufacturing | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| Thin Film Technology Corporation | Wholesale Trade | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Region Nine Development Commission | Public Administration | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Monarch Healthcare Management, LLC | Health Care and Social Assistance | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Minnesota Perinatal Organization | Other Services (except Public Administration) | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| LZL Engineering, LLC | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Ironwood Electronics, Inc. | Manufacturing | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Innovance, Inc. | Manufacturing | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Independent School District No 236 | Educational Services | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| I S Group, Inc. | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Gustavus Adolphus College | Educational Services | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Fountane, Inc. | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Counseling Services of Southern Minnesota | Health Care and Social Assistance | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Cooperative Response Center, Inc. | Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| City of Mankato | Public Administration | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Bolton and Menk, Inc. | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Beckhoff Automation, LLC | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 1 | 100% | 0% |
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