Tammy Meckley, Associate Director, Immigration Records and Identity Services Directorate for USCIS | https://www.dhswatchlist.com/
Tammy Meckley, Associate Director, Immigration Records and Identity Services Directorate for USCIS | https://www.dhswatchlist.com/
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 West Florida News publication area submitted 73 petitions during the same period, achieving an approval rate of 97.3%.
While the Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services industry led the H-1B filings with 49 petitions, representing 67.1% of all submissions in the West Florida News publication area during 2024, the next largest contributor was the Real Estate and Rental and Leasing industry, which accounted for 12 petitions and represented 16.4% of the total. Among petitions from employers in the Real Estate and Rental and Leasing industry, all were approved.
Compared to 2023, the Health Care and Social Assistance sector in the West Florida 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 | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 49 | 67.1% | 95.9% | 4.1% |
| 2 | Real Estate and Rental and Leasing | 12 | 16.4% | 100% | 0% |
| 3 | Manufacturing | 4 | 5.5% | 100% | 0% |
| 3 | Health Care and Social Assistance | 4 | 5.5% | 100% | 0% |
| 5 | Utilities | 1 | 1.4% | 100% | 0% |
| 5 | Retail Trade | 1 | 1.4% | 100% | 0% |
| 5 | Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services | 1 | 1.4% | 100% | 0% |
| Company Name | Industry | Total Petitions | % Approved | % Denied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virtuoso Info Systems, Inc. | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 30 | 100% | 0% |
| Herc Rentals Employee Services, LLC | Real Estate and Rental and Leasing | 12 | 100% | 0% |
| Ospro Systems, LLC | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 4 | 100% | 0% |
| Restocks, LLC | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| Florida Engineering, LLC | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| Nevonex It Solutions, Inc. | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 2 | 50% | 50% |
| Venice Physical Therapy and Sports | Health Care and Social Assistance | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Tricounty Health, LLC | Health Care and Social Assistance | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Sanibel Public Library District | Manufacturing | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| RG Architects PA | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Radiology Regional Center P a | Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Pine Island Animal Clinic | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Pebblebrook, Inc. | Retail Trade | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Metro Steel and Pipe Supply, Inc. | Manufacturing | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Lukka, Inc. | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Lee County Electric Cooperative, Inc. | Utilities | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Lake Gastroenterology Associates, LLC | Health Care and Social Assistance | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Golf Ball Warehouse, Inc. | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 1 | 0% | 100% |
| Emcyte Corporation | Manufacturing | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Combat Waffle Studios, Inc. | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Clymer Farner Barley, Inc. | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Cienaga Systems, Inc. | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Charlotte Behavioral Health Care | Health Care and Social Assistance | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| CGI Windows and Doors, Inc. | Manufacturing | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Blue Sparq, Inc. | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Arcadia Medical Associates PA | 1 | 100% | 0% | |
| Arcadia Aerospace Industries, LLC | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 1 | 100% | 0% |
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