Judge Blocks Trump’s Move

to Impose Fee on H-1B Visa

 Y-Trendz | World Report

A federal judge in the United States has struck down President Donald Trump's controversial plan to impose a $100,000 fee on new H-1B visa applications, delivering a significant legal setback to the administration’s immigration policy.

U.S. District Judge Leo Sorokin ruled that the fee amounted to a tax rather than a regulatory charge and therefore could not be imposed by the President without authorization from Congress. The court concluded that the administration exceeded its legal authority in introducing the measure.

The fee, announced in 2025, would have dramatically increased the cost of obtaining H-1B visas, a program widely used by technology firms, universities, healthcare institutions, and other employers seeking highly skilled foreign workers. Critics argued that the policy would discourage global talent from entering the United States and create staffing challenges across several sectors.

The lawsuit was brought by a coalition of 20 Democratic state attorneys general, who contended that the fee harmed state economies and restricted access to skilled professionals. The court agreed that the measure lacked proper legal foundation and ordered it to be invalidated.

The Trump administration is expected to appeal the ruling, setting the stage for another legal battle over immigration policy and executive authority. For now, employers and prospective H-1B applicants have received temporary relief from the proposed fee increase.

Y-Trendz Take:

The judgment is being viewed as a major victory for businesses, universities, and skilled foreign workers—particularly Indian professionals, who represent a large share of H-1B visa holders. The final outcome, however, may depend on future appeals and higher court decisions.

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