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 Health Care and Social Assistance industry led the H-1B filings locally during 2024, with 18 petitions (48.6% of all submissions), and an approval rate of 94.4%. Meanwhile, the Manufacturing industry was the second largest contributor, filing six petitions (16.2% of the total), with an approval rate of 100%.
Among local employers with petitions during 2024, Wilbarger County Hospital District stood out with five petitions and an approval rate of 100%, followed by Lubbock County Hospital District D with four petitions and an approval rate of 100%.
Compared to 2023, the Lubbock Times publication area saw a 60.9% 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 | Health Care and Social Assistance | 18 | 48.6% | 94.4% | 5.6% |
| 2 | Manufacturing | 6 | 16.2% | 100% | 0% |
| 3 | Wholesale Trade | 3 | 8.1% | 100% | 0% |
| 4 | Retail Trade | 2 | 5.4% | 100% | 0% |
| 5 | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 1 | 2.7% | 100% | 0% |
| 5 | Information | 1 | 2.7% | 100% | 0% |
| 5 | Construction | 1 | 2.7% | 100% | 0% |
| 5 | Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction | 1 | 2.7% | 100% | 0% |
| 5 | Finance and Insurance | 1 | 2.7% | 100% | 0% |
| 5 | Real Estate and Rental and Leasing | 1 | 2.7% | 100% | 0% |
| Company Name | Industry(ies) | Total Petitions | % Approved | % Denied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wilbarger County Hospital District | Health Care and Social Assistance | 5 | 100% | 0% |
| Lubbock County Hospital District D | Health Care and Social Assistance | 4 | 100% | 0% |
| X-Fab Texas, Inc. | Manufacturing | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| Cathodic Protection Solutions, LLC | Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction, Manufacturing | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| Robert Madden Industries, Ltd. | Wholesale Trade | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| Discovery Medical Network, Inc. | Health Care and Social Assistance | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| Wilbarger General Hospital Foundation | Health Care and Social Assistance | 1 | 0% | 100% |
| United Supermarkets, LLC | Retail Trade | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| UMC Physicians | Health Care and Social Assistance | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Smith Industries, LLC | Manufacturing | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Propetro Services, Inc. | Wholesale Trade | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Madera Residential, LLC | Real Estate and Rental and Leasing | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Lynn County Hospital District | Health Care and Social Assistance | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Lubbock Regional MHMR Center | Health Care and Social Assistance | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| JD Healthcare 2, LLC | Retail Trade | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| High Plains Periodontics, PLLC | Health Care and Social Assistance | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Har Group Doctors, PLLC | Health Care and Social Assistance | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| First State Bank Shallowater | Finance and Insurance | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Familia Dental Lubbock, PLLC | Health Care and Social Assistance | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Covenant Hospital Plainview | Health Care and Social Assistance | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Colibri Isotopes Corporation | Manufacturing | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| CMH Manufacturing Company | Manufacturing | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Betenbough Companies PBC | Construction | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| AST Spacemobile Services, LLC | Information | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Agnew Associates, Inc. | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 5elem USA, Inc. | 1 | 100% | 0% |
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