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 Portland Maine News publication area submitted 146 petitions during the same period, achieving an approval rate of 96.6%.
While the Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services industry led the H-1B filings with 87 petitions, representing 59.6% of all submissions in the Portland Maine News publication area during 2024, the next largest contributor was the Educational Services industry, which accounted for 18 petitions and represented 12.3% of the total. Among petitions from employers in the Educational Services industry, all were approved.
Among local employers with petitions categorized under the Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services sector during 2024, Chenmark Capital Management, LLC stood out with two petitions and an approval rate of 100%, followed by Airbnb, Inc. with one petition and an approval rate of 100%.
Compared to 2023, the Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services sector in the Portland Maine News publication area saw a 200% 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 | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 87 | 59.6% | 96.6% | 3.4% |
| 2 | Educational Services | 18 | 12.3% | 100% | 0% |
| 3 | Health Care and Social Assistance | 15 | 10.3% | 100% | 0% |
| 4 | Finance and Insurance | 14 | 9.6% | 100% | 0% |
| 5 | Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services | 3 | 2.1% | 100% | 0% |
| 6 | Utilities | 2 | 1.4% | 100% | 0% |
| 6 | Information | 2 | 1.4% | 0% | 100% |
| 8 | Real Estate and Rental and Leasing | 1 | 0.7% | 100% | 0% |
| 8 | Other Services (except Public Administration) | 1 | 0.7% | 100% | 0% |
| 8 | Manufacturing | 1 | 0.7% | 100% | 0% |
| 8 | Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation | 1 | 0.7% | 100% | 0% |
| Company Name | Industries | Total Petitions | % Approved | % Denied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rite Pros, Inc. | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 33 | 93.9% | 6.1% |
| SRI Sai, LLC | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 23 | 95.7% | 4.3% |
| Idexx Laboratories, Inc. | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 16 | 100% | 0% |
| Bowdoin College | Educational Services | 12 | 100% | 0% |
| Wex, Inc. | Finance and Insurance | 11 | 100% | 0% |
| Mainehealth | Health Care and Social Assistance | 8 | 100% | 0% |
| University of New England | Educational Services | 4 | 100% | 0% |
| Emburse, Inc. | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 4 | 100% | 0% |
| Woodard and Curran, Inc. | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 3 | 100% | 0% |
| Wex Health, Inc. | Finance and Insurance, Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 3 | 100% | 0% |
| Pierce Atwood, LLP | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| Mind Your Mouth PA, LLC | Health Care and Social Assistance | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| Maine Trust for Local News L3C | Information | 2 | 0% | 100% |
| Competitive Energy Services, LLC | Utilities | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| Chenmark Capital Management, LLC | Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| Arkatechture | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| Bridgton Hospital | Health Care and Social Assistance | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| Airbnb, Inc. | Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Woodard & Curran, Inc. | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Allegiance Financial Group, Inc. | Finance and Insurance | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Veritas Prime, LLC | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Auto Europe, LLC | Real Estate and Rental and Leasing | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| University of Maine | Educational Services | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Tristan, LLC | Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| The via Group, LLC | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| The Opportunity Alliance | Health Care and Social Assistance | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Spectrum Healthcare Partners | Health Care and Social Assistance | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Serenity Residential Care, LLC | Health Care and Social Assistance | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Sawyer Enterprises, LLC | Manufacturing | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| City of South Portland | Educational Services | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Defend Our Health | Other Services (except Public Administration) | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Maine College of ART and Design | Educational Services | 1 | 100% | 0% |
Alerts Sign-up