Twelve US states accounted for nearly 80% of all H-1B visa approvals recorded during the first three quarters of the 2026 financial year, with only three of them governed by Republicans, according to data from the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
California topped the list, followed by Texas and New York, as the Trump administration intensified scrutiny of employment-based immigration and alleged visa fraud. A total of 270,419 H-1B visa approvals were recorded through June 2026, according to data compiled by Guest Worker Visas. Of these, 214,056 approvals were concentrated in 12 states, highlighting the uneven distribution of foreign skilled workers across the country.
The figures include both new applications and renewals. California recorded the highest number of approvals at 55,824, followed by Texas with 33,618 and New York with 20,983.
New Jersey accounted for 19,925 approvals, while Illinois recorded 14,115 and Massachusetts 11,403. Together, these six states, along with the other states in the leading group, formed the largest centres of H-1B visa activity in the country. The first seven states in the ranking accounted for 176,566 approvals, representing approximately 65.3% of the national total. Pennsylvania recorded 8,089 approvals, followed by Michigan with 8,054, Maryland with 7,703, Washington with 7,192 and Georgia with 7,082. Combined, the 12 states accounted for nearly four-fifths of all approvals recorded during the period.
The political composition of these states is also notable. Nine of the 12 states are governed by Democrats, while Texas, Pennsylvania and Georgia are Republican-led. Democratic-led states accounted for 165,897 approvals, compared with 48,789 in the three Republican-led states.
The concentration of H-1B workers in these states could make them important locations for the implementation of the federal government’s increased scrutiny of the visa system. However, the figures reflect the geographical distribution of approvals and do not, by themselves, indicate that visa fraud is more prevalent in any particular state. The latest developments come amid a broader enforcement drive by the Trump administration against alleged misuse of employment-based immigration programmes. The government has announced action against several companies over suspected H-1B-related violations, alongside scrutiny of green card sponsorship procedures and the employment of foreign workers.
The measures have raised concerns among foreign professionals, particularly those employed in the technology sector, who rely on employer-sponsored visas to work in the US and may seek permanent residency through employment-based immigration programmes. Indian nationals are particularly affected by changes to the H-1B system.
Data cited from the US State Department indicates that Indians account for nearly 71% of H-1B workers, while approximately 64% of these workers are employed in the technology industry. This makes developments surrounding the visa programme significant for Indian IT professionals and companies that deploy skilled employees to the US.
The immigration crackdown is also unfolding ahead of the 2026 US midterm elections, with immigration policy, employment opportunities and the protection of American jobs featuring prominently in the political debate. The administration has emphasised the need for companies to prioritise American workers. Vice-President JD Vance reiterated this position during a White House press briefing, urging businesses to follow an “America First” approach to hiring.
Economic concerns have added to the debate. The US economy added 29,000 jobs in September 2026, according to figures cited in the report, intensifying discussion around employment prospects and labour market conditions.
The distribution of H-1B approvals across Democratic- and Republican-led states could also bring the issue into focus in the election campaign. Pennsylvania and Georgia, both among the states with substantial H-1B approvals, are expected to be closely watched battlegrounds in the midterm elections.
While the figures underline the importance of H-1B workers to several major state economies, the impact of the federal enforcement drive will depend on the specific measures adopted, the employers targeted and the outcome of investigations into alleged violations.
