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/
This represents an approval rate of 94.7%, which is lower than the average in Kansas across all industries.
That year, the statewide average approval rate for H-1B petitions stood at 98.6%, slightly higher than 2023's 97.9%. Across the publication area, employers across all industries submitted 41 petitions during the same period, with an approval rate of 97.6%.
For comparison, the U.S. reported an average approval rate of 98% in 2024.
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.
While the Manufacturing industry led the H-1B filings with 19 petitions, representing 46.3% of all submissions in North Wichita News publication area during 2024, the next largest contributor was the Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services industry, which accounted for 10 petitions and represented 24.4% of the total. Among petitions from employers in the Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services industry, all were approved.
The employers that filed the most petitions in the Manufacturing sector in North Wichita News publication area during 2024 included Investment Management Services, LLC with five petitions, Koch Agent and Energy Solutions, LLC with four petitions, and Flint Hills Resources LC with three.
Investment Management Services, LLC and Koch Agent and Energy Solutions, LLC with six other employers led the industry in the publication area with the highest approval rate of 100% each.
Compared to 2023, the Manufacturing sector saw a 5.6% increase in the number of H-1B petitions across North Wichita News publication area 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 | Manufacturing | 19 | 46.3% | 94.7% | 5.3% |
| 2 | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 10 | 24.4% | 100% | 0% |
| 3 | Health Care and Social Assistance | 6 | 14.6% | 100% | 0% |
| 4 | Wholesale Trade | 2 | 4.9% | 100% | 0% |
| 5 | Educational Services | 1 | 2.4% | 100% | 0% |
| 5 | Finance and Insurance | 1 | 2.4% | 100% | 0% |
| 5 | Transportation and Warehousing | 1 | 2.4% | 100% | 0% |
| Company Name | Industry | Total Petitions | % Approved | % Denied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Koch Capabilities, LLC | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 7 | 100% | 0% |
| Investment Management Services, LLC | Manufacturing | 6 | 100% | 0% |
| Koch Agent and Energy Solutions, LLC | Manufacturing | 4 | 100% | 0% |
| Flint Hills Resources LC | Manufacturing | 3 | 100% | 0% |
| Newton Healthcare Corporation | Health Care and Social Assistance | 3 | 100% | 0% |
| Bunting Magnetics Company | Wholesale Trade | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| Investment Nylon Chemicals Americas, LLC | Manufacturing | 2 | 100% | 0% |
| Sentient Energy, Inc. | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Prairie View, Inc. | Health Care and Social Assistance | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Optimized Process Designs, LLC | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Onpoint Digital Solutions, LLC | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| KS Gastroenterology, LLC | Health Care and Social Assistance | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Koch Minerals and Trading, LLC | Manufacturing | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| KBX Logistics, LLC | Transportation and Warehousing | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Heartland Cardiology, LLC | Health Care and Social Assistance | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Great Plains Industries, Inc. | Manufacturing | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Georgia Pacific Consumer Products LP | Manufacturing | 1 | 0% | 100% |
| Flint Hills Resources Pine Bend, LLC | Manufacturing | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Flint Hills Resources LP | Manufacturing | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Bhattarai Diemer Group, LLC | Finance and Insurance | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| Bethel College | Educational Services | 1 | 100% | 0% |
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