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 Lynchburg Reporter publication area submitted 48 petitions during the same period, achieving an approval rate of 97.9%.
The Educational Services industry led the H-1B filings in the Lynchburg Reporter publication area during 2024, with 16 petitions (33.3% of all submissions), and an approval rate of 93.8%. Meanwhile, the Health Care and Social Assistance industry was the second largest contributor, filing 14 petitions (29.2% of the total), with an approval rate of 100%.
Among local employers with petitions categorized under the Manufacturing sector during 2024, L3harris Technologies, Inc. stood out with four petitions and an approval rate of 100%, followed by Belvac Production Machinery, Inc. with two petitions and an approval rate of 100%.
Compared to 2023, the Manufacturing sector in the Lynchburg Reporter publication area saw a 40% decrease 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 | 16 | 33.3% | 93.8% | 6.3% |
| 2 | Health Care and Social Assistance | 14 | 29.2% | 100% | 0% |
| 3 | Utilities | 8 | 16.7% | 100% | 0% |
| 4 | Manufacturing | 6 | 12.5% | 100% | 0% |
| 5 | Construction | 4 | 8.3% | 100% | 0% |
| Company Name | Industries | Total Petitions | % Approved | % Denied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Framatome, Inc. | Utilities | 8 | 100% | 0% |
| Centra Health D B a Centra Col, Inc. | Educational Services, Health Care and Social Assistance | 7 | 100% | 0% |
| Liberty University | Educational Services, Health Care and Social Assistance | 6 | 100% | 0% |
| Centra Medical Group, LLC | Health Care and Social Assistance | 5 | 100% | 0% |
| English Construction Company, Inc. | Construction | 4 | 100% | 0% |
| L3harris Technologies, Inc. | Manufacturing | 4 | 100% | 0% |
| University of Lynchburg | Educational Services | 3 | 66.7% | 33.3% |
| Belvac Production Machinery, Inc. | Manufacturing | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| Johnson Health Center | Health Care and Social Assistance | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| Canady Consulting, Inc. | Educational Services | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Collaborative Health Partners of V | Health Care and Social Assistance | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Kairos Counseling, Inc. | Health Care and Social Assistance | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Lynchburg Nephrology Physicians, PLLC | Health Care and Social Assistance | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Randolph College | Educational Services | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Thriveworks Administrative Service | Health Care and Social Assistance | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Wellspring of Hope, LLC | Health Care and Social Assistance | 1 | 100% | 0% |
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