Federal Judge Strikes Down Trump's $100,000 H-1B Visa Fee
A federal judge in Boston ruled on Monday that President Trump's $100,000 fee for H-1B work visas exceeded the administration's authority and violated the Administrative Procedure Act, siding with 20 states that challenged the policy. The fee, which increased from $215 and took effect in September 2024, was intended to discourage companies from hiring foreign workers over Americans, but few companies paid it. The ruling matters because H-1B visas are critical for tech companies, universities, and hospitals seeking specialized talent, and the decision affects ongoing debates about immigration policy and labor market protections.
A federal judge in Boston struck down President Trump's $100,000 H-1B visa fee on Monday, ruling that the Trump administration lacked the authority to impose the increase without congressional approval. The fee, which raised the application cost from $215, was announced in September 2024 and took effect within 24 hours. Trump administration officials argued the higher fee would protect American workers from being displaced by lower-paid foreign workers, citing concerns that companies use the program to replace domestic tech staff. However, the judge found the policy violated the Administrative Procedure Act, which governs how federal agencies develop regulations. The H-1B program, created in 1990, allows U.S. employers to hire foreign workers with specialized skills and bachelor's degrees; approximately 700,000 H-1B visa holders currently reside in the United States. The program is heavily used by tech companies, universities, hospitals, and staffing firms, with nearly 75% of approved applicants in 2023 coming from India. The ruling contradicts an earlier federal court decision that upheld the fee and kept it in effect until September 2025.
What's missing
The article does not specify which 20 states filed the lawsuit or provide details about the earlier federal court ruling that upheld the fee. Additionally, the timeline of when the earlier ruling was issued and how it relates to the current Boston decision could be clearer.
What different sources said
- NDTVCenter
Explained: Trump's $100,000 H-1B Visa Fee And Court Decision That Junked It
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