A US federal judge has upheld President Donald Trump’s controversial $100,000 fee for processing H-1B visa applications. The ruling, delivered by US District Judge Beryl Howell, affirms the president’s “broad statutory authority” to address perceived issues related to economic and national security.
The application fee, announced in September, triggered significant confusion and concern among American businesses, particularly in the tech sector, which relies heavily on H-1B visas. The sudden implementation gave companies just 36 hours to prepare.
Trump has argued that the H-1B visa system has been exploited to replace American workers with less expensive foreign labor. Each year, the United States grants 85,000 H-1B visas through a lottery system, with a significant portion awarded to applicants from India.
The ruling has sparked backlash, especially from tech entrepreneurs like Elon Musk, who caution that targeting H-1B visas could exacerbate the shortage of homegrown talent in the industry.
The lawsuit challenging the visa fee was filed by the US Chamber of Commerce and the Association of American Universities, both of which argue that the affected workers are vital contributors to American innovation and productivity.
As additional lawsuits regarding this visa fee are ongoing, the case highlights an intensifying immigration crackdown under Trump’s administration.
