U.S. Chamber of Commerce sues Trump administration over $100,000 H-1B visa fees
USA Chamber of Commerce He filed an application on Thursday case After the Trump administration imposed a $100,000 fee on H-1B worker visas.
Last month, President Donald Trump announced plans to reform the program by requiring U.S. companies to pay $100,000 a year for H-1B visas; This visa allows companies to temporarily hire foreign workers in skilled occupations in a variety of fields, including technology and engineering.
In a notice of the case on Thursday, the Department called the new fee unlawful because it “overrules provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Act governing the H-1B program, including the requirement that fees be based on government expenses incurred in visa processing.”
“The new $100,000 visa fee will make it cost-prohibitive for U.S. employers, particularly startups and small and medium-sized businesses, to take advantage of the H-1B program, which was expressly established by Congress to ensure that American businesses of all sizes have access to the global talent they need to grow their operations in the United States.” he said. Neil Bradley, The U.S. Chamber’s executive vice president and chief policy officer said in the statement.
A White House representative did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The higher wage was expected to be a major blow to companies in the technology sector, especially startups and venture capital-backed companies that often rely on skilled workers from India and China.
Major technology companies, including those who donated heavily to the Trump campaign, have been beneficiaries of the program.
It was already difficult for startups in the US to obtain H-1B visas due to limited annual quotas.
Created by Congress in 1990, H-1B visas are generally valid for three years and can be extended for up to six years. The program is limited to 65,000 visas per year, with an additional 20,000 visas available for individuals with advanced degrees. Before the change, fees ranged from $2,000 to $5,000 per application, depending on the size of the company, CNBC previously reported.
Management is also recommended Other changes to the H-1B program’s lottery selection system.
The changes come in the months after Trump’s inauguration, amid pressure to limit immigration and for American companies to hire more domestically.
“President Trump has launched an ambitious agenda to secure permanent pro-growth tax reforms, unlock American energy, and address excessive regulation that inhibits growth. The Chamber and our members have actively supported these proposals to attract more investment to America. To support this growth, our economy will need more workers, not fewer,” Bradley said in a statement Thursday. he said.
