A federal judge on Monday declared that a $100,000 fee imposed by former President Donald Trump on new H-1B visas for highly skilled foreign workers is unlawful and must be invalidated.
Background of the Case
U.S. District Judge Leo Sorokin in Boston issued the ruling in a lawsuit filed by 20 Democratic state attorneys general. They challenged a fee that Trump announced in September 2025 via an executive order, which dramatically raised the cost of obtaining H-1B visas. The fee was set at $100,000 per visa, a significant increase from the previous standard fees.
Legal Challenge and Ruling
The lawsuit argued that the executive order exceeded presidential authority and violated federal immigration laws. Judge Sorokin agreed, stating that the fee was not authorized by Congress and was therefore unlawful. The ruling invalidates the fee, meaning that H-1B visa applicants will no longer be required to pay the $100,000 charge.
The decision has been welcomed by technology companies and immigration advocates who had criticized the fee as a barrier to attracting global talent. The H-1B visa program allows U.S. employers to temporarily employ foreign workers in specialty occupations.
More details on the ruling and its implications are expected to emerge in the coming days. This case highlights the ongoing legal battles over immigration policies enacted during the Trump administration.
Reuters contributed reporting.
