Tammy Meckley, Associate Director, Immigration Records and Identity Services Directorate for USCIS | https://www.dhswatchlist.com/
Tammy Meckley, Associate Director, Immigration Records and Identity Services Directorate for USCIS | https://www.dhswatchlist.com/
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 Retail Trade industry led the H-1B filings locally during 2024, with 15 petitions (30.6% of all submissions), and an approval rate of 100%. Meanwhile, the Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services industry was the second largest contributor, filing nine petitions (18.4% of the total), with an approval rate of 100%.
The South San Antonio News publication area employers with the most petitions during 2024 included Petco Animal Supplies Stores, Inc., which filed 13 petitions with an approval rate of 100%, Texas Biomedical Research Institute with five petitions and an approval rate of 100%, and Board Holt Company, which filed four petitions with an approval rate of 100%.
Compared to 2023, the South San Antonio News publication area saw a 36.1% 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 | Retail Trade | 15 | 30.6% | 100% | 0% |
| 2 | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 9 | 18.4% | 100% | 0% |
| 3 | Manufacturing | 8 | 16.3% | 100% | 0% |
| 4 | Educational Services | 6 | 12.2% | 100% | 0% |
| 5 | Health Care and Social Assistance | 5 | 10.2% | 100% | 0% |
| 6 | Wholesale Trade | 4 | 8.2% | 100% | 0% |
| 7 | Other Services (except Public Administration) | 2 | 4.1% | 100% | 0% |
| Company Name | Industry(ies) | Total Petitions | % Approved | % Denied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Petco Animal Supplies Stores, Inc. | Retail Trade | 13 | 100% | 0% |
| Texas Biomedical Research Institute | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 5 | 100% | 0% |
| Board Holt Company | Manufacturing | 4 | 100% | 0% |
| Texas a and M University - San ANT | Educational Services | 3 | 100% | 0% |
| Lancer Corporation | Wholesale Trade | 3 | 100% | 0% |
| Avanzar Interior Technologies, Ltd. | Manufacturing | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| South San Antonio Independent School District | Educational Services | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| Zachry Engineering, Corp. | Other Services (except Public Administration) | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Smiles of Ingram Park, PLLC | Health Care and Social Assistance | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Siyatech Consulting, Inc. | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Scaffold Engineering, Inc. | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Saiforce Technician, Inc. | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Prasanna, LLC | Retail Trade | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Nuevosoft, LLC | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Navistar San Antonio Manufacturing, LLC | Manufacturing | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Mega Furniture USA Distribution LL | Retail Trade | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Lone Star Growers an Affiliate of Altman Specialty Plants LLC, LLC | Wholesale Trade | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Kallison Ranch Smiles, PLLC | Health Care and Social Assistance | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Holt Wind Resources, LLC | Manufacturing | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Harlandale ISD | Educational Services | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| GT Remarketing, LLC | Other Services (except Public Administration) | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| GMG Health Systems Associates PA D | Health Care and Social Assistance | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Dental Hut, PLLC | Health Care and Social Assistance | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Altius Healthcare Management, LLC | Health Care and Social Assistance | 1 | 100% | 0% |
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