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 Metro Lex News publication area submitted 170 petitions during the same period, achieving an approval rate of 94.7%.
While the Educational Services industry led the H-1B filings with 116 petitions, representing 68.2% of all submissions in the Metro Lex News publication area during 2024, the next largest contributor was the Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services industry, which accounted for 20 petitions and represented 11.8% of the total. Among petitions from employers in the Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services industry, all were approved.
The Metro Lex News publication area employers with the most petitions categorized under the Educational Services sector during 2024 included University of Kentucky, which filed 110 petitions with an approval rate of 92.7%, Fayette County Public Schools with four petitions and an approval rate of 100%, and Asbury University, which filed two petitions with an approval rate of 100%.
Compared to 2023, the Educational Services sector in the Metro Lex News publication area saw a 1.8% 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 | 116 | 68.2% | 93.1% | 6.9% |
| 2 | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 20 | 11.8% | 100% | 0% |
| 3 | Health Care and Social Assistance | 10 | 5.9% | 100% | 0% |
| 3 | Manufacturing | 10 | 5.9% | 100% | 0% |
| 5 | Construction | 3 | 1.8% | 100% | 0% |
| 6 | Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation | 2 | 1.2% | 50% | 50% |
| 6 | Accommodation and Food Services | 2 | 1.2% | 100% | 0% |
| 8 | Other Services (except Public Administration) | 1 | 0.6% | 100% | 0% |
| 8 | Wholesale Trade | 1 | 0.6% | 100% | 0% |
| 8 | Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services | 1 | 0.6% | 100% | 0% |
| Company Name | Industry | Total Petitions | % Approved | % Denied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Kentucky | Educational Services | 112 | 92.9% | 7.1% |
| Piramal Pharma Solutions, Inc. | Manufacturing | 7 | 100% | 0% |
| Saint Joseph Health System, Inc. | Health Care and Social Assistance | 6 | 100% | 0% |
| Sitek, Inc. | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 4 | 100% | 0% |
| Fayette County Public Schools | Educational Services | 4 | 100% | 0% |
| VGP Holdings, LLC | Manufacturing | 3 | 100% | 0% |
| With Puyo, LLC | Accommodation and Food Services | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| Ross-Tarrant, Inc. | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| Kentuckyone Health Medical Group D | Health Care and Social Assistance | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| Keeneland Association, Inc. | Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation | 2 | 50% | 50% |
| Grayhawk, LLC | Construction | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| Asbury University | Educational Services | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| Biopathogenix, LLC | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| Elliot Engineering, Inc. | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| Centralert, Inc. | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| Alltech, Inc. | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Windsome Holdings II, LLC | Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| American Board of Family Medicine | Other Services (except Public Administration) | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Thermal Equipment Sales, Inc. | Wholesale Trade | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| The Nuclear Company | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Chipps Caffrey and Dubilier PSC | Health Care and Social Assistance | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Control Power Maintenance Electric | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Nephrology Associates of Lexington P S C | Health Care and Social Assistance | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Link Belt Cranes | Manufacturing | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Florida Tile, Inc. | 1 | 100% | 0% | |
| JRA Architects | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Freeland Harris Cons ENG of KY, Inc. | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Gray Solutions, LLC | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Gray, Inc. | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Gray Construction, Inc. | Construction | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Gray Architects and Engineers, LLC | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 1 | 100% | 0% |
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