Pushback against President Donald Trump’s immigration policies continues, with approval over the president’s handling of the issue dropping to just 38% in a recent Reuters/Ipsos poll.
One such controversial action in the first year of the president’s second term was an executive order signed in September 2025 to significantly restrict nonimmigrant workers with H-1B visas.
Immigration law firm Manifest Law revealed which industries and states are likely to be most affected by such restrictions on H-1B workers using data from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
It turns out Illinois is one of the biggest employers of these workers, meaning local industries are likely to be affected by the current administration’s crackdown.
What is a H-1B visa?
The nonimmigrant classification applies to workers who are highly educated – at least a bachelor’s degree – who wish to perform work that requires theoretical and practical application of a body of highly specialized knowledge.
The specific duties of the offered position are so specialized, complex, or unique that the knowledge required to perform them is normally associated with the attainment of a U.S. bachelor’s or higher degree in a directly related specific specialty, or its equivalent, according to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
Which industries sponsor the most H-1B visas?
The following industries sponsored the most H-1B visas in 2025, according to the firm:
Which states rely most on H-1B workers?
The following states had the most H-1B new hires per 10,000 workers in 2025:
Which large cities employ the most H-1B workers?
The following large metros had the most H-1B new hires per 10,000 workers in 2025:
Which midsize metros employ the most H-1B workers?
Peoria ranked 14th among midsize metros, with 7.1 new H-1B workers per 10,000 workers.
Meanwhile, the Moline/Rock Island area ranked 19th, with 6.1 workers.
Here’s the top 10:
Which small cities hire the most H-1B workers?
Decatur ranked 7th, with 15.3 workers, while Champaign/Urbana ranked 14th, with 12.3 workers.
Here’s the top 10:
Which Illinois cities employ the most H-1B workers?
This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Illinois among states hiring most H-1B visa workers. See top cities
Reporting by Hannah Hudnall, Peoria Journal Star / Journal Star
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
