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/
This represents an approval rate of 96.9%, 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 55 petitions during the same period, with an approval rate of 98.2%.
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.
While the Educational Services industry led the H-1B filings with 32 petitions, representing 58.2% of all submissions in NE North Dakota News publication area during 2024, the next largest contributor was the Health Care and Social Assistance industry, which accounted for 21 petitions and represented 38.2% of the total. Among petitions from employers in the Health Care and Social Assistance industry, all were approved.
University of North Dakota and North Valley Area Career and Techn with one other employer led the industry in the publication area with the highest approval rate of 100% each.
Compared to 2023, the Educational Services sector saw a 61% decrease in the number of H-1B petitions across NE North Dakota 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). 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 | 32 | 58.2% | 96.9% | 3.1% |
| 2 | Health Care and Social Assistance | 21 | 38.2% | 100% | 0% |
| 3 | Other Services (except Public Administration) | 1 | 1.8% | 100% | 0% |
| 3 | Manufacturing | 1 | 1.8% | 100% | 0% |
| Company Name | Industries | Total Petitions | % Approved | % Denied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of North Dakota | Educational Services | 25 | 96% | 4% |
| Altru Health System | Health Care and Social Assistance | 7 | 100% | 0% |
| Cavalier County Memorial Hospital Association | Health Care and Social Assistance, Other Services (except Public Administration) | 5 | 100% | 0% |
| Grand Forks Public Schools | Educational Services | 5 | 100% | 0% |
| Mercy Hospital of Devils Lake | Health Care and Social Assistance | 3 | 100% | 0% |
| Northwood Deaconess Health Center | Health Care and Social Assistance | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| Christian Unity Hospital, Corp. | Health Care and Social Assistance | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Cooperstown Medical Center | Health Care and Social Assistance | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Minn-Dak Agent, LLC | Manufacturing | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Nelson County Health System | Health Care and Social Assistance | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| North Valley Area Career and Techn | Educational Services | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| P R Health Corporation | Health Care and Social Assistance | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Spectra Health | Health Care and Social Assistance | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| St. Joseph Catholic School and St. M | Educational Services | 1 | 100% | 0% |
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