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.
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 55 petitions (84.6% of all submissions), and an approval rate of 98.2%. Meanwhile, the Health Care and Social Assistance industry was the second largest contributor, filing seven petitions (10.8% of the total), with an approval rate of 85.7%.
The SE Arizona News publication area employers with the most petitions during 2024 included Douglas Unified School District, which filed 17 petitions with an approval rate of 94.1%, Nogales Unified School District with 12 petitions and an approval rate of 100%, and Santa Cruz Valley Unified School District, which filed six petitions with an approval rate of 100%.
Compared to 2023, the SE Arizona News publication area saw a 14.5% 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 | 55 | 84.6% | 98.2% | 1.8% |
| 2 | Health Care and Social Assistance | 7 | 10.8% | 85.7% | 14.3% |
| 3 | Wholesale Trade | 1 | 1.5% | 100% | 0% |
| Company Name | Industry(ies) | Total Petitions | % Approved | % Denied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Douglas Unified School District | Educational Services | 17 | 94.1% | 5.9% |
| Nogales Unified School District | Educational Services | 12 | 100% | 0% |
| Santa Cruz Valley Unified School District | Educational Services | 6 | 100% | 0% |
| Cibecue Community School | Educational Services | 5 | 100% | 0% |
| Willcox Unified School District # 13 | Educational Services | 3 | 100% | 0% |
| Whiteriver Unified School District | Educational Services | 3 | 100% | 0% |
| Morenci Unified School District | Educational Services | 3 | 100% | 0% |
| Chiricahua Community Health Centers, Inc. | Health Care and Social Assistance | 2 | 50% | 50% |
| Mexicayotl Academy, Inc. | Educational Services | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| San Carlos Unified School District 20 | Educational Services | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| Mount Graham Regional Medical Cent | Health Care and Social Assistance | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| Sonoita Elementary School District | Educational Services | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Sierra Vista Regional Health Center Medical Group, LLC | Health Care and Social Assistance | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Miami Unified School District No 40 | Educational Services | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Mariposa Community Health Center, Inc. | Health Care and Social Assistance | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Cibecue Community Education Board, Inc. | Educational Services | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| AML of Arizona Forwarding, LLC | 1 | 100% | 0% | |
| African Renewable Energy | Wholesale Trade | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Abdul Memon PLLC, M.D. | Health Care and Social Assistance | 1 | 100% | 0% |
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