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.
In 2024, the average approval rate for H-1B petitions across the United States stood at 98%, slightly higher than 2023's 97.3%.
The Educational Services industry led the H-1B filings locally during 2024, with 42 petitions (61.8% of all submissions), and an approval rate of 97.6%. Meanwhile, the Health Care and Social Assistance industry was the second largest contributor, filing 10 petitions (14.7% of the total), with an approval rate of 100%.
Among local employers with petitions during 2024, Baylor University stood out with 20 petitions and an approval rate of 100%, followed by Tyler Independent School District with six petitions and an approval rate of 100%.
Compared to 2023, the Waco Reporter publication area saw a 29.2% 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 | Educational Services | 42 | 61.8% | 97.6% | 2.4% |
| 2 | Health Care and Social Assistance | 10 | 14.7% | 100% | 0% |
| 3 | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 9 | 13.2% | 88.9% | 11.1% |
| 4 | Manufacturing | 4 | 5.9% | 100% | 0% |
| 5 | Wholesale Trade | 1 | 1.5% | 100% | 0% |
| 5 | Accommodation and Food Services | 1 | 1.5% | 100% | 0% |
| Company Name | Industry(ies) | Total Petitions | % Approved | % Denied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baylor University | Educational Services | 20 | 100% | 0% |
| Tyler Independent School District | Educational Services | 6 | 100% | 0% |
| Wichita Falls Independent School District | Educational Services | 5 | 100% | 0% |
| Marble Falls Independent School District | Educational Services | 5 | 100% | 0% |
| Midwestern State University | Educational Services | 3 | 66.7% | 33.3% |
| Logos Globaltech, LLC | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 3 | 100% | 0% |
| Kunduru Dental, PLLC | Health Care and Social Assistance | 3 | 100% | 0% |
| Hill College | Educational Services | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| Jaynes Reitmeier Boyd and Therrell, PC | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| LA Magna Health, PLLC | Health Care and Social Assistance | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| Scott and White Clinic | Health Care and Social Assistance | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| Anderton Castings, LLC | Manufacturing | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Waco Kids Dental, PC | Health Care and Social Assistance | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Waco Independent School District | Educational Services | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Waco Bottling, LLC | Manufacturing | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Vantran Industries, Inc. | 1 | 100% | 0% | |
| UT Health East Texas | Health Care and Social Assistance | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Cameron Electronics | Wholesale Trade | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Time Manufacturing Company, Inc. | Manufacturing | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Stride Hospitality, LLC | Accommodation and Food Services | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Secord and Lebow Architects, LLP | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Providence Health Alliance | Health Care and Social Assistance | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Center for Particle Therapy and Research, Inc. | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 1 | 0% | 100% |
| Collier Materials, Inc. | Manufacturing | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Freemon Shapard and Story | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Gollob Morgan Peddy, PC | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 1 | 100% | 0% |
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