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.
In 2024, the average approval rate for H-1B petitions across the United States stood at 98%, slightly higher than 2023's 97.3%.
The Educational Services industry led the H-1B filings locally during 2024, with 42 petitions (62.7% of all submissions), and an approval rate of 97.6%. Meanwhile, the Health Care and Social Assistance industry was the second largest contributor, filing 12 petitions (17.9% of the total), with an approval rate of 100%.
The Pee Dee News publication area employers with the most petitions during 2024 included Darlington County School District, which filed 22 petitions with an approval rate of 86.4%, Williamsburg County School District with 10 petitions and an approval rate of 90%, and Coker University, which filed eight petitions with an approval rate of 100%.
Compared to 2023, the Pee Dee News publication area saw a 10.7% 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 | 42 | 62.7% | 97.6% | 2.4% |
| 2 | Health Care and Social Assistance | 12 | 17.9% | 100% | 0% |
| 3 | Manufacturing | 7 | 10.4% | 100% | 0% |
| 4 | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 2 | 3% | 100% | 0% |
| Company Name | Industry(ies) | Total Petitions | % Approved | % Denied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Darlington County School District | Educational Services | 22 | 86.4% | 13.6% |
| Williamsburg County School District | Educational Services | 10 | 90% | 10% |
| Coker University | Educational Services | 8 | 100% | 0% |
| Sonoco Products Company | Manufacturing | 4 | 100% | 0% |
| Hopehealth, Inc. | Health Care and Social Assistance | 4 | 100% | 0% |
| Mcleod Regional Medical Center of the Pee Dee, Inc. | Health Care and Social Assistance | 4 | 100% | 0% |
| Elite Quartz Manufacturing, LLC | Manufacturing | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| USA Accounting Tax, Inc. | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| Marlboro County School District | Educational Services | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| Mcleod Physician Associates II | Health Care and Social Assistance | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| Virtus Academy of South Carolina | Educational Services | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Pret Advanced Materials, LLC | Manufacturing | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Marion County School District | Educational Services | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Herald Office Supply, Inc. | 1 | 0% | 100% | |
| Healing Touch Psychiatric Services, LLC | Health Care and Social Assistance | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Dillon School District Four | Educational Services | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Caresouth Carolina, Inc. | Health Care and Social Assistance | 1 | 100% | 0% |
ORGANIZATIONS IN THIS STORY
!RECEIVE ALERTS
DONATE
Alerts Sign-up