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
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 Key West Reporter publication area submitted 76 petitions during the same period, achieving an approval rate of 96.1%.
The Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services industry led the H-1B filings in the Key West Reporter publication area during 2024, with 20 petitions (26.3% of all submissions), and an approval rate of 95%. Meanwhile, the Finance and Insurance industry was the second largest contributor, filing 16 petitions (21.1% of the total), with an approval rate of 100%.
Among local employers with petitions categorized under the Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services sector during 2024, Accelirate, Inc. stood out with five petitions and an approval rate of 80%, followed by Vali, LLC with three petitions and an approval rate of 100%.
Compared to 2023, the Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services sector in the Key West Reporter publication area saw a 45.9% 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 | 20 | 26.3% | 95% | 5% |
| 2 | Finance and Insurance | 16 | 21.1% | 100% | 0% |
| 3 | Health Care and Social Assistance | 13 | 17.1% | 100% | 0% |
| 4 | Transportation and Warehousing | 9 | 11.8% | 100% | 0% |
| 5 | Manufacturing | 3 | 3.9% | 100% | 0% |
| 5 | Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services | 3 | 3.9% | 100% | 0% |
| 7 | Other Services (except Public Administration) | 2 | 2.6% | 100% | 0% |
| 7 | Retail Trade | 2 | 2.6% | 100% | 0% |
| 7 | Educational Services | 2 | 2.6% | 100% | 0% |
| 10 | Wholesale Trade | 1 | 1.3% | 100% | 0% |
| 10 | Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation | 1 | 1.3% | 100% | 0% |
| 10 | Accommodation and Food Services | 1 | 1.3% | 0% | 100% |
| Company Name | Industries | Total Petitions | % Approved | % Denied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bankers Healthcare Group, LLC | Finance and Insurance | 16 | 100% | 0% |
| Pediatric Associates | Health Care and Social Assistance | 11 | 100% | 0% |
| Accelirate, Inc. | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 7 | 85.7% | 14.3% |
| Vali, LLC | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 5 | 100% | 0% |
| DHL Express USA, Inc. | Transportation and Warehousing | 4 | 100% | 0% |
| Vsoft Solutions, Inc. | Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services | 3 | 100% | 0% |
| V Cruises US, LLC | Transportation and Warehousing | 3 | 100% | 0% |
| Carepredict, Inc. | Manufacturing, Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| As Info, LLC | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| Miami Community Charter Schools | Educational Services | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| Agile Infoways, LLC | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Vip Care, Inc. | Health Care and Social Assistance | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Bifar, LLC | Wholesale Trade | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| V Cruises Intermediate Limited | Transportation and Warehousing | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Tannex Development | Accommodation and Food Services | 1 | 0% | 100% |
| Synergy Technologies, LLC | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Synergistix, Inc. | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Smurfit Kappa Packaging, LLC | Manufacturing | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Self Employment | 1 | 0% | 100% | |
| Real Stone and Granite Corporation | Retail Trade | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Rave Infosys D B a Rave Digita, Inc. | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Bolton Medical, Inc. | Manufacturing | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Key Largo Smiles PA | Health Care and Social Assistance | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Jack Brewer Foundation, Inc. | Other Services (except Public Administration) | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Ila Corporation | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Golf & Tennis Pro Shop, Inc. | Retail Trade | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Global Process Consultants, LLC | Other Services (except Public Administration) | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Florida Triple Threat All-Star | Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| First Class Obgyn PA | Health Care and Social Assistance | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Doroni Aerospace, Inc. | Transportation and Warehousing | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Certuche Associates USA, LLC | 1 | 100% | 0% |
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