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 West Cook News publication area submitted 343 petitions during the same period, achieving an approval rate of 97.4%.
The Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services industry led the H-1B filings in the West Cook News publication area during 2024, with 118 petitions (34.4% of all submissions), and an approval rate of 99.2%. Meanwhile, the Manufacturing industry was the second largest contributor, filing 84 petitions (24.5% of the total), with an approval rate of 100%.
The West Cook News publication area employers with the most petitions categorized under the Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services sector during 2024 included MSR Technology Group, LLC, which filed 19 petitions with an approval rate of 100%, Onward Technologies, Inc. with 16 petitions and an approval rate of 93.8%, and Institute of Gas Technology D B a, which filed 10 petitions with an approval rate of 100%.
Compared to 2023, the Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services sector in the West Cook News publication area saw an 18.1% 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 | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 118 | 34.4% | 99.2% | 0.8% |
| 2 | Manufacturing | 84 | 24.5% | 100% | 0% |
| 3 | Wholesale Trade | 30 | 8.7% | 93.3% | 6.7% |
| 4 | Health Care and Social Assistance | 27 | 7.9% | 100% | 0% |
| 5 | Management of Companies and Enterprises | 14 | 4.1% | 100% | 0% |
| 6 | Educational Services | 13 | 3.8% | 61.5% | 38.5% |
| 7 | Finance and Insurance | 10 | 2.9% | 100% | 0% |
| 8 | Construction | 9 | 2.6% | 100% | 0% |
| 9 | Other Services (except Public Administration) | 8 | 2.3% | 87.5% | 12.5% |
| 9 | Accommodation and Food Services | 8 | 2.3% | 100% | 0% |
| 11 | Information | 7 | 2% | 100% | 0% |
| 12 | Real Estate and Rental and Leasing | 3 | 0.9% | 100% | 0% |
| 13 | Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services | 2 | 0.6% | 100% | 0% |
| 13 | Transportation and Warehousing | 2 | 0.6% | 100% | 0% |
| 15 | Public Administration | 1 | 0.3% | 100% | 0% |
| Company Name | Industries | Total Petitions | % Approved | % Denied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onward Technologies, Inc. | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 26 | 96.2% | 3.8% |
| MSR Technology Group, LLC | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 20 | 100% | 0% |
| SBA Acquisition Group | Manufacturing | 11 | 100% | 0% |
| Interlake Mecalux, Inc. | Manufacturing | 11 | 100% | 0% |
| Insurance Auto Auctions, Inc. | Wholesale Trade | 11 | 90.9% | 9.1% |
| Wintrust Financial Corporation | Management of Companies and Enterprises | 10 | 100% | 0% |
| Institute of Gas Technology D B a | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 10 | 100% | 0% |
| Svanaco, Inc. | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 8 | 100% | 0% |
| Resilience Healthcare Chicago Graduate Education Foundation | Educational Services | 8 | 37.5% | 62.5% |
| Riverpoint Management, LLC | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 8 | 100% | 0% |
| Ingredion Incorporated | Manufacturing | 7 | 100% | 0% |
| Brainlab, Inc. | Manufacturing | 7 | 100% | 0% |
| Avalign Technologies, Inc. | Manufacturing | 7 | 100% | 0% |
| Metro Infectious Disease Consultan | Health Care and Social Assistance | 7 | 100% | 0% |
| Intelligent Medical Objects, Inc. | Information | 6 | 100% | 0% |
| The Martin-Brower Company, LLC | Accommodation and Food Services | 6 | 100% | 0% |
| Hydro Extrusion USA, LLC | Manufacturing | 5 | 100% | 0% |
| CJ Logistics America, LLC | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 4 | 100% | 0% |
| Pbits, Inc. | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 4 | 100% | 0% |
| Sterling Engineering, Inc. | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 4 | 100% | 0% |
| Life Fitness, LLC | Wholesale Trade | 4 | 100% | 0% |
| United Electronics Inc., Corp. | Manufacturing | 4 | 100% | 0% |
| US Foods, Inc. | Wholesale Trade | 4 | 100% | 0% |
| Kuvare Corporate Management, LLC | Management of Companies and Enterprises | 4 | 100% | 0% |
| Progress Rail Locomotive, Inc. | Manufacturing | 4 | 100% | 0% |
| Planet Equity Group | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 4 | 100% | 0% |
| Popular Bank | Finance and Insurance | 4 | 100% | 0% |
| Resilience Healthcare - West Subur | Health Care and Social Assistance | 3 | 100% | 0% |
| LA Marche Manufacturing Company | Manufacturing | 3 | 100% | 0% |
| Ritchie Bros Auctioneers America I | Wholesale Trade | 3 | 100% | 0% |
| Escarpita Construction Company, Inc. | Construction, Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 3 | 100% | 0% |
| West Suburban Medical Center | Health Care and Social Assistance | 3 | 100% | 0% |
| Midtronics, Inc. | Manufacturing | 3 | 100% | 0% |
| Veqtor, LLC | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 3 | 100% | 0% |
| Loyola University Medical Center | Health Care and Social Assistance | 3 | 100% | 0% |
| Cimpar S C | Health Care and Social Assistance | 3 | 100% | 0% |
| Unique Wealth Strategies, Inc. | Finance and Insurance | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| Trek Labs, Inc. | Finance and Insurance | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| Cadence Mcshane Construction Compa | Construction | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| Nuvomed, Inc. | Wholesale Trade | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| Illinois Conference of Seventh Day Adventists | Other Services (except Public Administration) | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| Merz and Associates, PC | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| Caresoft Global, Inc. | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| Christopher B Burke Engineering, Ltd. | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| Holistic Health Partners, Inc. | Health Care and Social Assistance | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| Reyes Holdings, LLC | Transportation and Warehousing | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| Conexus Food Solutions, LLC | Wholesale Trade | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| Cotter Consulting, Inc. | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| Fathers of St. Charles | Other Services (except Public Administration) | 2 | 50% | 50% |
| Sterlite Software USA, Inc. | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| D2 Dental of Michigan D B a DE, P C | Health Care and Social Assistance | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| Lutheran Social Services of Illinois | Other Services (except Public Administration) | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| Encore Group USA, LLC | Real Estate and Rental and Leasing | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| Dynamic Manufacturing, Inc. | Manufacturing | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| Sharma Associates, Inc. | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| Loyola University Chicago | Educational Services | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| Paramount Advertising and Lead Sol | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Pillars Community Health | Health Care and Social Assistance | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Novacare Services, Inc. | Health Care and Social Assistance | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Nord ARMS USA, Inc. | Manufacturing | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| XM Data Strategies, Inc. | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Wondfo USA Company, Ltd. | Manufacturing | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Wintrust Asset Finance, Inc. | Management of Companies and Enterprises | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Voyant Beauty, LLC | Manufacturing | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Validation and Technical Services | Manufacturing | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| The Boyd Group US, Inc. | Other Services (except Public Administration) | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Synergy Technology Group D B a, Inc. | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Society for Vascular Surgery | Other Services (except Public Administration) | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Sloan Global Holdings, LLC | Manufacturing | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Sig Combibloc, Inc. | Manufacturing | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Sievert Electric Service and Sales Company, Inc. | Public Administration | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Serviam Diagnostics Lab, LLC | Health Care and Social Assistance | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Ritchie Bros Auctioneers America, Inc. | Wholesale Trade | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| RG Construction Services, Inc. | Construction | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Realty of Chicago, LLC | Real Estate and Rental and Leasing | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| RCM Industries, Inc. | Manufacturing | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Projeo Corporation | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Preferred Risk Insurance Services, Inc. | Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Duraco Specialty Tapes, LLC | Manufacturing | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Dunker Ringwood Automation, LLC | Manufacturing | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Dominican University | Educational Services | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Dometic Corporation | Manufacturing | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| D2 Dental of Illinois, PC | Health Care and Social Assistance | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| D and D Dental D B a Alldent D, LLC | 1 | 100% | 0% | |
| Culligan International Company | Manufacturing | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Christopher Glass & Aluminum, Inc. | Construction | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Capstone Development Services Company, LLC | Manufacturing | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Capstone Development Services Comp | Manufacturing | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| BRG Sports, Inc. | 1 | 100% | 0% | |
| Bond Consultants Group, Inc. | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| BGRS | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Bazaar, Inc. | Wholesale Trade | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Apex Logistics International ORD, Inc. | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Anning-Johnson Company | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| American Orthopedic Foundation | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Alpha Baking Company, Inc. | Manufacturing | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Alin Machining Company, LLC | Manufacturing | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Afable Accounting and Computer Service | 1 | 100% | 0% | |
| Abna of Illinois, Inc. | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 1052 Partners, Inc. | Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 4wealth Financial Group, LLC | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Nelsen Steel and Wire L P | Manufacturing | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Mindwurks, Inc. | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Metritrack, Inc. | Wholesale Trade | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| MBB Enterprises of Chicago, Inc. | Construction | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Law Offices of Metin Serbest, LLC | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Laquinta Rosemont Company | Accommodation and Food Services | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Kuvare Insurance Services LP | Finance and Insurance | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Koloni, Inc. | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Kitchencrest Cabinets, LLC | Wholesale Trade | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Kitchenart, LLC | Wholesale Trade | 1 | 0% | 100% |
| J Sterling Morton High School District | Educational Services | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Italmatch School, LLC | Wholesale Trade | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| International Bank of Chicago | Finance and Insurance | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Ilene, Inc. | Manufacturing | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Hydrian, LLC | Information | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| H Madrigal Construction, Inc. | Construction | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Gueros Pallets, Inc. | Manufacturing | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Flying Food Group, LLC | Accommodation and Food Services | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Fiat Powertrain Technologies of North America, Inc. | Manufacturing | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Fenwick High School | Educational Services | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Essentra Plastics D B a Essent, LLC | Manufacturing | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Espo Engineering Corporation | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Eos Mechanical, Inc. | Construction | 1 | 100% | 0% |
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