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/
In 2024, all H-1B petitions submitted by employers classified under the Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services industry located across Central ND News publication area were approved, according to data provided by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services via the H-1B Employer Data Hub.
This represents an approval rate of 100%, which is higher than the average in North Dakota across all industries.
That year, the statewide average approval rate for H-1B petitions stood at 95.5%, slightly lower than 2023's 96.6%. Across the publication area, employers across all industries submitted 34 petitions during the same period, with an approval rate of 94.1%.
For comparison, the U.S. reported an average approval rate of 98% in 2024.
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 Educational Services industry led the H-1B filings in Central ND News publication area during 2024, with 16 petitions (47.1% of all submissions), and an approval rate of 100%. Meanwhile, the Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services industry was the second largest contributor, filing nine petitions (26.5% of the total), with an approval rate of 100%.
The employers in the Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services sector in Central ND News publication area included National Information Solutions Cooperative with seven petitions, Gnomon Technology, LLC, and National Information Solutions Cooperative with one petition each during 2024.
Compared to 2023, the Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services sector saw an 800% increase in the number of H-1B petitions across Central ND News publication area 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).
| Rank | Industry | Total Petitions | % of All Submissions | % Approved | % Denied |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Educational Services | 16 | 47.1% | 100% | 0% |
| 2 | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 9 | 26.5% | 100% | 0% |
| 3 | Health Care and Social Assistance | 7 | 20.6% | 85.7% | 14.3% |
| 4 | Utilities | 1 | 2.9% | 100% | 0% |
| 4 | Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting | 1 | 2.9% | 0% | 100% |
| Company Name | Industry | Total Petitions | % Approved | % Denied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| National Information Solutions Cooperative | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 8 | 100% | 0% |
| Standing Rock Community Grant School | Educational Services | 6 | 100% | 0% |
| White Shield School District | Educational Services | 6 | 100% | 0% |
| CHI Oakes Hospital | Health Care and Social Assistance | 2 | 50% | 50% |
| CHI St. Alexius Health | Health Care and Social Assistance | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| Jacobson Memorial Hospital Care Center | Health Care and Social Assistance | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| Basin Electric Power Cooperative | Utilities | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Bismarck Public School District No 1 | Educational Services | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Black Leg Ranch Meats, LLC | Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting | 1 | 0% | 100% |
| Ellendale Public School District No 40 | Educational Services | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Glen Ullin Public School District 48 | Educational Services | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Gnomon Technology, LLC | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Ndus System Information Technology Services | Educational Services | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Wishek Hospital Clinic Association | Health Care and Social Assistance | 1 | 100% | 0% |
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