Jennifer B. Higgins, Deputy Director, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services | https://medium.com/the-u-s-digital-service/meet-the-dhs-digital-service-champions-may-2018-caee7dade2b
Jennifer B. Higgins, Deputy Director, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services | https://medium.com/the-u-s-digital-service/meet-the-dhs-digital-service-champions-may-2018-caee7dade2b
This represents an approval rate of 100%, which is higher than the average in Maryland across all industries.
That year, the statewide average approval rate for H-1B petitions stood at 97%, slightly higher than 2023's 96.1%. Across the publication area, employers across all industries submitted 24 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.
While the Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services industry led the H-1B filings with 15 petitions, representing 62.5% of all submissions in Harford News publication area during 2024, the next largest contributor was the Manufacturing industry, which accounted for three petitions and represented 12.5% of the total. Among petitions from employers in the Manufacturing industry, all were approved.
The Harford News employers in the Manufacturing sector in Harford News publication area during 2024 included Dunlop Protective Footwear USA, LLC, Smiths Detection, Inc. and The Survice Engineering Company, LLC, each with one petition.
Compared to 2023, the Manufacturing sector saw an increase in the number of H-1B petitions across Harford 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 | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 15 | 62.5% | 100% | 0% |
| 2 | Manufacturing | 3 | 12.5% | 100% | 0% |
| 3 | Health Care and Social Assistance | 2 | 8.3% | 100% | 0% |
| 4 | Public Administration | 1 | 4.2% | 100% | 0% |
| 4 | Wholesale Trade | 1 | 4.2% | 100% | 0% |
| 4 | Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services | 1 | 4.2% | 100% | 0% |
| 4 | Accommodation and Food Services | 1 | 4.2% | 100% | 0% |
| Company Name | Industry | Total Petitions | % Approved | % Denied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candent Solutions, Inc. | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 8 | 100% | 0% |
| Cedar Creek Software, LLC | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| Morris and Ritchie Associates, Inc. | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| Abi Advantage, LLC | Public Administration | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Better Engineering Manufacturing I | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Bolivian Investors Group, Inc. | Wholesale Trade | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Cadmium, LLC | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Dunlop Protective Footwear USA, LLC | Manufacturing | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Frederick W Parker PA, D.D.S. | Health Care and Social Assistance | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| MLS Global | Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Sagacity Ventures | Accommodation and Food Services | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Scitech Services, Inc. | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Smiths Detection, Inc. | Manufacturing | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| The Survice Engineering Company, LLC | Manufacturing | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| University of Maryland Upper Chesapeake Health System, Inc. | Health Care and Social Assistance | 1 | 100% | 0% |
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