US Court Rules Donald Trump’s $100,000 H-1B Visa Fee Increase ‘Lawful’ | World News
US federal judge upholds Donald Trump administration’s decision to impose $100,000 fee on new H-1B visa applications; This decision could significantly impact American technology firms that depend on skilled foreign workers.
U.S. District Judge Beryl Howell ruled in a summary judgment on Tuesday that the sharp increase in the cost of the popular work visa was legal, Bloomberg reported. The decision supports the Trump administration’s broader effort to curb immigration and prioritize U.S. workers.
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, which brought the legal challenge, may appeal the decision.
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Rejecting the Chamber’s argument that the President had no authority to impose such a fee, Howell found that Trump was acting within the scope of a “clear grant of legal authority to the President.” He said Congress has given the president sweeping powers to address what he sees as economic and national security concerns “as he sees fit.”
The agency argued that the fee increase overrides federal immigration law and exceeds limits set by Congress on visa-related fees. Executive vice president Daryl Joseffer warned that the new fee would make the H-1B program financially unsustainable for many employers.
“We are disappointed in the court’s decision and are considering further legal options to ensure the H-1B visa program operates as Congress intended: ensuring that American businesses of all sizes have access to the global talent they need to grow their operations,” Joseffer said. he said.
Oda is not alone in opposing this policy. A coalition of 19 state attorneys general filed a separate lawsuit, arguing that the measure would harm public sector employers, especially those in the health care and education sectors that are heavily dependent on H-1B workers. A global nurse recruitment agency has also launched a legal challenge; This means the announcement could still be blocked by other courts.
Increasing uncertainty regarding H-1B visas
Adding to the uncertainty, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security said Tuesday it plans to replace the H-1B lottery system with a weighted selection process. The goal is to prevent wage arbitrage and encourage employers to “petition for higher-paid, higher-skilled foreign workers,” the ministry said. Proposals to introduce a mandatory wage floor are also under evaluation.
The H-1B visa program is a pillar of employment-based immigration in the United States, allowing companies to hire college-educated foreign professionals for specialized roles. Trump signed the proclamation increasing the application fee in September, arguing that some companies were abusing the program to displace American workers.
The decision has particularly serious implications for India, whose citizens are the largest recipients of H-1B visas. As Indian IT firms face much higher costs for thousands of employees, the continued unpredictability of policies is making Indian professionals working in US technology, finance, healthcare and other sectors uneasy. Concerns have intensified following the recent mass postponement of work visa appointments.
