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 Alaska News publication area submitted 23 petitions during the same period, achieving an approval rate of 95.7%.
The Health Care and Social Assistance industry led the H-1B filings in the SC Alaska News publication area during 2024, with seven petitions (30.4% of all submissions), and an approval rate of 100%. Meanwhile, the Educational Services industry was the second largest contributor, filing five petitions (21.7% of the total), with an approval rate of 100%.
Among local employers with petitions categorized under the Educational Services sector during 2024, Anchorage School District stood out with three petitions and an approval rate of 100%, followed by University of Alaska Fairbanks with two petitions and an approval rate of 100%.
Compared to 2023, the Educational Services sector in the SC Alaska News publication area saw a 50% 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 | Health Care and Social Assistance | 7 | 30.4% | 100% | 0% |
| 2 | Educational Services | 5 | 21.7% | 100% | 0% |
| 3 | Wholesale Trade | 2 | 8.7% | 100% | 0% |
| 3 | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 2 | 8.7% | 100% | 0% |
| 3 | Construction | 2 | 8.7% | 100% | 0% |
| 6 | Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction | 1 | 4.3% | 100% | 0% |
| 6 | Information | 1 | 4.3% | 100% | 0% |
| 6 | Transportation and Warehousing | 1 | 4.3% | 0% | 100% |
| 6 | Accommodation and Food Services | 1 | 4.3% | 100% | 0% |
| Company Name | Industry | Total Petitions | % Approved | % Denied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anchorage School District | Educational Services | 3 | 100% | 0% |
| ZPA, LLC | Accommodation and Food Services | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| University of Alaska Fairbanks | Educational Services | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| Turnagain Marine Construction Corporation | Construction | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| JKD Brands, LLC | Wholesale Trade | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| Thrive Integrative Medicine, LLC | Health Care and Social Assistance | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| South Peninsula Hospital, Inc. | Health Care and Social Assistance | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Rim Architects, LLC | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Ophthalmic Associates | Health Care and Social Assistance | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Newhouse & Vogler, Cpas, APC | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Mountain View Health Services | Health Care and Social Assistance | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| J M Alaska Air Tours, Inc. | Transportation and Warehousing | 1 | 0% | 100% |
| GCI Communication, Corp. | Information | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| BTY Dental Group, LLC | Health Care and Social Assistance | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Arctic Slope Regional Corporation | Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Anchorage Neighborhood Health Cent | Health Care and Social Assistance | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium | Health Care and Social Assistance | 1 | 100% | 0% |
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