Tammy Meckley, Associate Director, Immigration Records and Identity Services Directorate for USCIS | https://www.dhswatchlist.com/
Tammy Meckley, Associate Director, Immigration Records and Identity Services Directorate for USCIS | https://www.dhswatchlist.com/
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 Kansas News publication area submitted 25 petitions during the same period, achieving an approval rate of 100%.
While the Educational Services industry led the H-1B filings with 15 petitions, representing 60% of all submissions in the NW Kansas News publication area during 2024, the next largest contributor was the Health Care and Social Assistance industry, which accounted for nine petitions and represented 36% of the total. Among petitions from employers in the Health Care and Social Assistance industry, all were approved.
Among local employers with petitions categorized under the Health Care and Social Assistance sector during 2024, Hays Medical Center, Inc. stood out with three petitions and an approval rate of 100%, followed by Norton County Hospital with two petitions and an approval rate of 100%.
Compared to 2023, the Health Care and Social Assistance sector in the NW Kansas News publication area saw a 28.6% 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 | 15 | 60% | 100% | 0% |
| 2 | Health Care and Social Assistance | 9 | 36% | 100% | 0% |
| 3 | Wholesale Trade | 1 | 4% | 100% | 0% |
| Company Name | Industry | Total Petitions | % Approved | % Denied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fort Hays State University | Educational Services | 12 | 100% | 0% |
| Hays Medical Center, Inc. | Health Care and Social Assistance | 3 | 100% | 0% |
| Norton County Hospital | Health Care and Social Assistance | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| Cloud Storage, Corp. | Wholesale Trade | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Decatur Health Systems, Inc. | Health Care and Social Assistance | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Goodland Regional Medical Center | Health Care and Social Assistance | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Northwest Kansas Technical College | Educational Services | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Oberlin USD 294 | Educational Services | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Rawlins County Dental Clinic Fund | Health Care and Social Assistance | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Sheridan County Health Complex | Health Care and Social Assistance | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| USD 489 Hays | Educational Services | 1 | 100% | 0% |
Alerts Sign-up