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 Maine Highlands News publication area submitted 71 petitions during the same period, achieving an approval rate of 100%.
While the Health Care and Social Assistance industry led the H-1B filings with 42 petitions, representing 59.2% of all submissions in the Maine Highlands News publication area during 2024, the next largest contributor was the Educational Services industry, which accounted for 28 petitions and represented 39.4% of the total. Among petitions from employers in the Educational Services industry, all were approved.
The Maine Highlands News publication area employers with the most petitions categorized under the Health Care and Social Assistance sector during 2024 included Eastern Maine Medical Center, which filed 33 petitions with an approval rate of 100%, St. Joseph Hospital with three petitions and an approval rate of 100%, and Penobscot Community Health Care, which filed two petitions with an approval rate of 100%.
Compared to 2023, the Health Care and Social Assistance sector in the Maine Highlands News publication area saw a 16% 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 | Health Care and Social Assistance | 42 | 59.2% | 100% | 0% |
| 2 | Educational Services | 28 | 39.4% | 100% | 0% |
| 3 | Finance and Insurance | 1 | 1.4% | 100% | 0% |
| Company Name | Industry | Total Petitions | % Approved | % Denied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eastern Maine Medical Center | Health Care and Social Assistance | 34 | 100% | 0% |
| University of Maine | Educational Services | 26 | 100% | 0% |
| St. Joseph Hospital | Health Care and Social Assistance | 3 | 100% | 0% |
| Penobscot Community Health Care | Health Care and Social Assistance | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| Acadia Medical ARTS Anesthesia, LLC | Health Care and Social Assistance | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Bangor Savings Bank | Finance and Insurance | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Health Access Network, Inc. | Health Care and Social Assistance | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Husson University | Educational Services | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| John Bapst Memorial High School | Educational Services | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Mercy Hospital | Health Care and Social Assistance | 1 | 100% | 0% |
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