Analysis Reveals H-1B Labor Filings Distribution Across U.S. Congressional Districts

A recent study analyzing federal labor data shows a notable disparity in H-1B labor filings between Democratic and Republican congressional districts. Over the past decade, districts represented by Democrats saw more than three times as many certified H-1B labor filings compared to those held by Republicans. This analysis, conducted by LayoffHedge, mapped nearly 6.9 million certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) to the current congressional districts.

Between fiscal 2015 and the second quarter of fiscal 2026, Democratic districts accounted for 5.17 million filings, while Republican districts had 1.69 million. An additional 56,596 filings were from four vacant districts. Despite this overall disparity, Texas Republican districts saw the fastest growth in H-1B filings from fiscal 2019 to fiscal 2025.

The data shows where employers asked to place the work. It does not show that either party causes or drives H-1B usage,” a spokesperson for LayoffHedge explained.

LCAs, which employers must submit to the Department of Labor for H-1B workers, track requests rather than visas issued or individual workers. A single application could request multiple workers, and one worker might be associated with several filings due to extensions or changes of employer.

The study comes amidst the Trump administration’s efforts to tighten legal immigration pathways, including the H-1B program. Changes include prioritizing higher-paid workers in the H-1B lottery, expanding biometric screening fees, and proposing to eliminate a 60-day grace period for laid-off H-1B workers seeking new employment. A proposed $100,000 fee on certain new H-1B petitions for workers outside the U.S. was blocked by a federal court.

Critics argue that the H-1B program may undercut American workers rather than filling job shortages. Supporters, including some technology executives, contend that limiting skilled foreign workers could challenge U.S. companies’ competitiveness.

LayoffHedge’s analysis revealed the highest concentrations of H-1B filings in Democratic-held districts, especially in technology and business hubs. California’s 17th District led with 323,966 filings, followed by New York’s 12th District with 259,001 filings and California’s 16th District with 233,165. Texas’ 4th District was the leading Republican-held district with 106,892 filings.

The top 10 districts recorded 1,727,766 filings, slightly more than all 219 Republican-held districts combined. An important caveat is that all filings were mapped to current congressional boundaries based on the present-day party holding each seat. This analysis did not necessarily reflect the party representation when filings occurred. LayoffHedge used work site ZIP codes and Census geographic data to map 99.5% of the filings.

Overall, 40 congressional districts accounted for half of all mapped filings. The data highlighted a concentration in Democratic-held districts located in significant technology and business areas.