Ur Mendoza Jaddou, Director of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (left) and Jennifer B. Higgins, Deputy Director. | https://www.uscis.gov/about-us/organization/leadership
Ur Mendoza Jaddou, Director of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (left) and Jennifer B. Higgins, Deputy Director. | https://www.uscis.gov/about-us/organization/leadership
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 Carbondale Reporter publication area submitted 59 petitions during the same period, achieving an approval rate of 98.3%.
While the Health Care and Social Assistance industry led the H-1B filings with 37 petitions, representing 62.7% of all submissions in the Carbondale Reporter publication area during 2024, the next largest contributor was the Educational Services industry, which accounted for 15 petitions and represented 25.4% of the total. Among petitions from employers in the Educational Services industry, 93.3% were approved and 6.7% were denied.
Among local employers with petitions categorized under the Health Care and Social Assistance sector during 2024, Southern Illinois Medical Services stood out with 14 petitions and an approval rate of 100%, followed by Southern Illinois Hospital Service with eight petitions and an approval rate of 100%.
Compared to 2023, the Health Care and Social Assistance sector in the Carbondale Reporter publication area saw a 117.6% increase 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 | 37 | 62.7% | 100% | 0% |
| 2 | Educational Services | 15 | 25.4% | 93.3% | 6.7% |
| 3 | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 2 | 3.4% | 100% | 0% |
| 4 | Retail Trade | 1 | 1.7% | 100% | 0% |
| 4 | Accommodation and Food Services | 1 | 1.7% | 100% | 0% |
| 4 | Manufacturing | 1 | 1.7% | 100% | 0% |
| Company Name | Industry | Total Petitions | % Approved | % Denied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Southern Illinois Medical Services | Health Care and Social Assistance | 15 | 100% | 0% |
| Southern Illinois University Carbondale | Educational Services | 13 | 100% | 0% |
| Southern Illinois Hospital Service | Health Care and Social Assistance | 8 | 100% | 0% |
| Marshall Browning Hospital | Health Care and Social Assistance | 4 | 100% | 0% |
| Shawnee Health Service and Develop | Health Care and Social Assistance | 4 | 100% | 0% |
| Southern Illinois University School of Medicine | Educational Services | 2 | 50% | 50% |
| Integritas Emergency Providers, LLC | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| Southern Illinois Hospital Services | Health Care and Social Assistance | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| Special Mine Services, Inc. | Manufacturing | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Southern Illinois Ob Gyn Associate | 1 | 100% | 0% | |
| Southern Illinois Gi Specialists L | Health Care and Social Assistance | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Rangitsch LLC, D.M.D. | Health Care and Social Assistance | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Pediatric Group, LLC | Health Care and Social Assistance | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Marion Eye Centers, Ltd. | Health Care and Social Assistance | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Kidney Disease & Medicine Specialty Consultants, LLC | Health Care and Social Assistance | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Fuji Marion, Inc. | Accommodation and Food Services | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Best Buy Auto Sales, Inc. | Retail Trade | 1 | 100% | 0% |
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