Quantcast

South Kent News

Saturday, April 12, 2025

H-1B Insights: Employers in South Kent News publication area file 281 petitions throughout 2024

Webp vgjln8rq77i4odrtkziyfeu4ubny

Ur Mendoza Jaddou, Director of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (left) and Jennifer B. Higgins, Deputy Director. | https://www.uscis.gov/about-us/organization/leadership

Ur Mendoza Jaddou, Director of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (left) and Jennifer B. Higgins, Deputy Director. | https://www.uscis.gov/about-us/organization/leadership

Employers based in the South Kent News publication area submitted 281 H-1B petitions during 2024, according to data provided by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services via the H-1B Employer Data Hub. Of these, 277 were approved (98.6%), while four were denied (1.4%).

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 Health Care and Social Assistance industry led the H-1B filings locally during 2024, with 116 petitions (41.3% of all submissions), and an approval rate of 100%. Meanwhile, the Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services industry was the second largest contributor, filing 98 petitions (34.9% of the total), with an approval rate of 96.9%.

Among local employers with petitions during 2024, William Beaumont Hospital stood out with 40 petitions and an approval rate of 100%, followed by Corewell Health Formerly Spectrum Health System with 30 petitions and an approval rate of 100%.

Compared to 2023, the South Kent News publication area saw a 17.1% 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.

H-1B Petitions by Industry in the South Kent News Publication Area, 2024
RankIndustryTotal Petitions% of All Submissions% Approved% Denied
1Health Care and Social Assistance11641.3%100%0%
2Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services9834.9%96.9%3.1%
3Finance and Insurance155.3%100%0%
4Manufacturing145%100%0%
4Educational Services145%92.9%7.1%
6Wholesale Trade134.6%100%0%
7Other Services (except Public Administration)20.7%100%0%
8Real Estate and Rental and Leasing10.4%100%0%
8Information10.4%100%0%
Employer H-1B Petitions in the South Kent News Publication Area During 2024
Company NameIndustry(ies)Total Petitions% Approved% Denied
William Beaumont HospitalHealth Care and Social Assistance40100%0%
Corewell Health Formerly Spectrum Health SystemHealth Care and Social Assistance30100%0%
Spectrum Health Primary Care PartnersHealth Care and Social Assistance24100%0%
Infyshine, Inc.Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services2491.7%8.3%
Van Andel Research InstituteProfessional, Scientific, and Technical Services20100%0%
Aventure Systems, LLCProfessional, Scientific, and Technical Services18100%0%
Gordon Food Service, Inc.Wholesale Trade11100%0%
Initech Global, LLCProfessional, Scientific, and Technical Services10100%0%
Vernus Technologies, Inc.Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services9100%0%
Priority HealthFinance and Insurance9100%0%
Oakwood Healthcare, Inc.Health Care and Social Assistance8100%0%
Calvin UniversityEducational Services6100%0%
Steelcase, Inc.Manufacturing5100%0%
Lakeland Hospitals at Niles and St. Joseph, Inc.Health Care and Social Assistance4100%0%
Makcats, Inc.Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services3100%0%
Marvik Consulting, LLCProfessional, Scientific, and Technical Services3100%0%
Priority Health Managed Benefits IFinance and Insurance3100%0%
Spartannash Associates, LLCWholesale Trade3100%0%
Metropolitan HospitalHealth Care and Social Assistance2100%0%
Pennock HospitalHealth Care and Social Assistance2100%0%
TGW Systems, Inc.Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services2100%0%
X Rite IncorporatedManufacturing2100%0%
Grand Rapids Christian School AssociationEducational Services2100%0%
Advantage Health/Saint Mary S Medical GroupHealth Care and Social Assistance2100%0%
Isam Securities USA, Inc.Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services2100%0%
Grandville Calvin Christian SchoolsEducational Services2100%0%
Bethany Christian ServicesHealth Care and Social Assistance2100%0%
Jia Global, LLCProfessional, Scientific, and Technical Services1100%0%
Recognation, LLCProfessional, Scientific, and Technical Services1100%0%
Reed City Hospital CorporationHealth Care and Social Assistance1100%0%
Renal Associates of West MichiganHealth Care and Social Assistance1100%0%
Eenhoorn, LLCReal Estate and Rental and Leasing1100%0%
Dwelling Place of Grand Rapids Nonprofit Housing CorporationHealth Care and Social Assistance1100%0%
Davenport UniversityEducational Services1100%0%
Bradford White CorporationManufacturing1100%0%
Treetops CollectiveOther Services (except Public Administration)1100%0%
Twisthink, Inc.Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services1100%0%
VA Enterprises, LLCProfessional, Scientific, and Technical Services10%100%
Aspen Surgical Products, Inc.Manufacturing1100%0%
Viastore Systems, Inc.Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services1100%0%
Visiting Nurse Services of Western MichiganHealth Care and Social Assistance1100%0%
Winterpark Engineering, LLCProfessional, Scientific, and Technical Services1100%0%
ABC Technologies Michigan, Inc.Manufacturing1100%0%
Lacroix Electronics MI, LLCManufacturing1100%0%
Lafleur Godfrey, LLCFinance and Insurance1100%0%
Lakeland Physician Care NetworkHealth Care and Social Assistance1100%0%
Lambert Global, LLCProfessional, Scientific, and Technical Services1100%0%
Living Stones AcademyEducational Services1100%0%
Luke Bagnall Insurance Agency, Inc.Finance and Insurance1100%0%
Homeward Health, Inc.Health Care and Social Assistance1100%0%
Highlight Industries, Inc.Manufacturing1100%0%
Mecosta County Medical CenterHealth Care and Social Assistance1100%0%
Heritage Reformed Congregation ofOther Services (except Public Administration)1100%0%
Michigan Health Information Network Shared ServicesInformation1100%0%
National Nail, Corp.Manufacturing1100%0%
Northpointe BankFinance and Insurance1100%0%
Northpointe Christian SchoolsEducational Services1100%0%
Hart Cooley, LLCManufacturing1100%0%
ORB Aerospace, Inc.1100%0%
Forest Hills Public SchoolsEducational Services10%100%

!RECEIVE ALERTS

The next time we write about any of these orgs, we’ll email you a link to the story. You may edit your settings or unsubscribe at any time.
Sign-up

DONATE

Help support the Metric Media Foundation's mission to restore community based news.
Donate

MORE NEWS