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/
This represents an approval rate of 100%, which is higher than the average in Minnesota across all industries.
That year, the statewide average approval rate for H-1B petitions stood at 98.6%, the same as in the previous year. Across the publication area, employers across all industries submitted 20 petitions during the same period, with an approval rate of 100%.
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 Manufacturing industry led the H-1B filings in SW Minnesota Today publication area during 2024, with eight petitions (40% of all submissions), and an approval rate of 100%. Meanwhile, the Educational Services industry was the second largest contributor, filing six petitions (30% of the total), with an approval rate of 100%.
The employers that filed the most petitions in the Educational Services sector in SW Minnesota Today publication area during 2024 included Minnesota State University Mankato with three petitions, Independent School District 2752 with two petitions, and Ellsworth School District with one.
Compared to 2023, the Educational Services sector saw a 50% increase in the number of H-1B petitions across SW Minnesota Today 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 | Manufacturing | 8 | 40% | 100% | 0% |
| 2 | Educational Services | 6 | 30% | 100% | 0% |
| 3 | Health Care and Social Assistance | 5 | 25% | 100% | 0% |
| 4 | Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting | 1 | 5% | 100% | 0% |
| Company Name | Industry | Total Petitions | % Approved | % Denied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Schwans Shared Services, LLC | Manufacturing | 4 | 100% | 0% |
| Minnesota State University Mankato | Educational Services | 3 | 100% | 0% |
| Avera Marshall | Health Care and Social Assistance | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| Independent School District 2752 | Educational Services | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| SFC Global Supply Chain, Inc. | Manufacturing | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| Avera Granite Falls | Health Care and Social Assistance | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Avicenna Technology, Inc. | Manufacturing | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| County of Murray | Health Care and Social Assistance | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Devenish Nutrition, LLC | Manufacturing | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Ellsworth School District | Educational Services | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Pipestone Holdings, LLC | Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Reverence for Life and Concern for People, Inc. | Health Care and Social Assistance | 1 | 100% | 0% |
Alerts Sign-up