US Judge Upholds Trump’s $100,000 Fee on New H-1B Visas

A federal judge on Tuesday rejected a legal challenge by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce against former President Donald Trump’s decision to impose a $100,000 fee on new H-1B visas for highly skilled foreign workers, ruling that the measure falls within the president’s broad authority over immigration. U.S. District Judge Beryl Howell, sitting in Washington, D.C., said the courts could not intervene in what she described as a political judgment, so long as the action complies with existing law.

In her ruling, Howell dismissed arguments that the fee conflicts with federal immigration statutes or would harm employers by forcing job cuts and reducing public services. She stated that debates over the policy’s wisdom were outside the judiciary’s role and emphasized that the proclamation must stand if it fits within legal boundaries. The White House did not immediately respond to requests for comment, while the Chamber said it was disappointed with the decision and is considering further legal options.

The H-1B program allows U.S. employers to hire foreign professionals in specialty occupations and typically offers 65,000 visas annually, with an additional 20,000 for advanced degree holders. Trump’s order would significantly increase the cost of the visas, which previously carried fees of roughly $2,000 to $5,000. Judge Howell noted that the administration had sufficiently supported its claim that the program was displacing U.S. workers, citing instances where companies laid off American employees while continuing to seek H-1B approvals.

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