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/
Of these, 112 were approved (99.1%), while one was denied (0.9%).
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%, higher than 2023's 97.3%. Statewide, Maryland employers across all industries submitted 13,045 petitions during the same period, achieving an approval rate of 97%.
While the Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services industry led the H-1B filings with 10,580 petitions, representing 81.1% of all submissions in Maryland during 2024, the next largest contributor was the Educational Services industry, which accounted for 740 petitions and represented 5.7% of the total. Among petitions from employers in the Educational Services industry, 10,231 were approved and 349 were denied.
The Maryland employers which made the most petitions in the Accommodation and Food Services sector during 2024 included Marriott International, Inc. with 81 petitions, Sodexo, Inc. with 22 petitions, and Hmshost Corporation with three petitions.
Compared to 2023, the Accommodation and Food Services sector in Maryland saw a 13% 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 | 10,580 | 81.1% | 96.7% | 3.3% |
| 2 | Educational Services | 740 | 5.7% | 98.8% | 1.2% |
| 3 | Manufacturing | 475 | 3.6% | 97.7% | 2.3% |
| 4 | Health Care and Social Assistance | 446 | 3.4% | 97.5% | 2.5% |
| 5 | Finance and Insurance | 358 | 2.7% | 98.6% | 1.4% |
| 6 | Accommodation and Food Services | 113 | 0.9% | 99.1% | 0.9% |
| 7 | Information | 83 | 0.6% | 96.4% | 3.6% |
| 8 | Wholesale Trade | 67 | 0.5% | 100% | 0% |
| 9 | Construction | 45 | 0.3% | 100% | 0% |
| 10 | Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services | 40 | 0.3% | 90% | 10% |
| 11 | Other Services (except Public Administration) | 30 | 0.2% | 100% | 0% |
| 12 | Retail Trade | 22 | 0.2% | 100% | 0% |
| 13 | Public Administration | 19 | 0.2% | 100% | 0% |
| 14 | Real Estate and Rental and Leasing | 10 | 0.1% | 100% | 0% |
| 15 | Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction | 6 | 0.1% | 83.3% | 16.7% |
| 16 | Management of Companies and Enterprises | 5 | 0% | 100% | 0% |
| 17 | Transportation and Warehousing | 3 | 0% | 100% | 0% |
| 18 | Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation | 2 | 0% | 100% | 0% |
| 19 | Utilities | 1 | 0% | 100% | 0% |
Top Employers in Accommodation and Food Services Industry in Maryland, 2024
| Rank | Company Name | Total Petitions | % Approved | % Denied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Marriott International, Inc. | 81 | 100% | 0% |
| 2 | Sodexo, Inc. | 22 | 100% | 0% |
| 3 | Hmshost Corporation | 3 | 66.7% | 33.3% |
| 4 | Corcoran Caterers, Inc. | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 4 | Choice Hotels International Servic | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 4 | Baywood Hotels, Inc. | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 4 | Sagacity Ventures | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 4 | Accor Management US, Inc. | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 4 | MGM National Harbor, LLC | 1 | 100% | 0% |
| 4 | 2am, LLC | 1 | 100% | 0% |
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