US Judge Rejects Business Group’s Challenge to Trump’s $100,000 H-1B Visa Fee

A US federal judge has rejected a legal challenge by major business groups against former President Donald Trump’s policy imposing a $100,000 fee on certain H-1B visa applications, dealing a blow to employers opposing the steep increase, according to Reuters.
US District Judge Beryl Howell ruled that the business groups, led by the US Chamber of Commerce, failed to demonstrate that the fee violated federal immigration law or exceeded presidential authority. The judge held that the administration acted within its legal powers in setting the fee as part of its broader immigration policy framework.
The Chamber of Commerce and other employer groups had argued that the sharply higher fee would discourage companies from hiring skilled foreign workers, particularly affecting sectors such as technology, healthcare and engineering that rely heavily on H-1B visa holders. They warned that the measure could hurt US competitiveness and innovation while placing an excessive financial burden on businesses, especially smaller firms.
However, the court found that disagreements over the policy’s economic impact did not amount to legal grounds for blocking it. Judge Howell noted that immigration policy decisions, even if controversial, fall largely within the executive branch’s discretion as long as they comply with existing law.
The H-1B visa programme allows US employers to hire foreign professionals in specialised occupations for up to six years. Traditionally, application fees have ranged from a few thousand dollars, making the $100,000 charge a dramatic escalation that has drawn widespread criticism from industry groups.
The ruling marks a significant legal win for Trump-era immigration measures aimed at tightening access to foreign labour and prioritising US workers. Business groups said they are reviewing the judgment and considering further legal options.
The decision comes amid ongoing debates in the United States over immigration, workforce shortages and the role of skilled foreign workers in sustaining economic growth.