Ted H. Kim, Associate Director Refugee, Asylum and International Operations Directorate for USCIS | https://www.naco.org/
Ted H. Kim, Associate Director Refugee, Asylum and International Operations Directorate for USCIS | https://www.naco.org/
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 SW Alaska News publication area submitted 63 petitions during the same period, achieving an approval rate of 96.8%.
The Educational Services industry led the H-1B filings in the SW Alaska News publication area during 2024, with 61 petitions (96.8% of all submissions), and an approval rate of 98.4%.
The SW Alaska News publication area employers with the most petitions categorized under the Educational Services sector during 2024 included Lower Kuskokwim School District, which filed 28 petitions with an approval rate of 100%, Southwest Region School District with 11 petitions and an approval rate of 100%, and Kuspuk School District, which filed eight petitions with an approval rate of 87.5%.
Compared to 2023, the Educational Services sector in the SW Alaska News publication area saw a 221.1% 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 | 61 | 96.8% | 98.4% | 1.6% |
| 2 | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 1 | 1.6% | 100% | 0% |
| 2 | Manufacturing | 1 | 1.6% | 0% | 100% |
| Company Name | Industry | Total Petitions | % Approved | % Denied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lower Kuskokwim School District | Educational Services | 28 | 100% | 0% |
| Southwest Region School District | Educational Services | 11 | 100% | 0% |
| Kuspuk School District | Educational Services | 8 | 87.5% | 12.5% |
| Kodiak Island Borough School Distr | Educational Services | 5 | 100% | 0% |
| Dillingham City School District | Educational Services | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| Kodiak Island Borough School District | Educational Services | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| Pribilof School District | Educational Services | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| Yupiit School District | Educational Services | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| Pribilo School District | Educational Services | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Sel Engineering Services, Inc. | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Yukon-Kuskokwim Health Corporation | Manufacturing | 1 | 0% | 100% |
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