BIG setback for Trump: US judge rules president’s $100000 H-1B visa fee illegal; what it means for Indian professionals?

A US federal judge has blocked President Donald Trump’s plan to impose a $100,000 fee on new H-1B visas, calling the measure unlawful.

US District Judge Leo Sorokin ruled that the Trump administration did not have the legal authority to introduce such a large fee.

What Was Trump’s H-1B Visa Fee Plan?

In September, Trump announced a new immigration measure that would have increased the cost of obtaining an H-1B visa to $100,000.

The H-1B visa program allows US companies to hire highly skilled foreign professionals in fields such as technology, engineering, healthcare, and finance.

Before the proposed change, employers typically paid between $2,000 and $5,000 in visa-related fees.

Why Did the Court Reject the Fee?

The Trump administration argued that the $100,000 charge was a penalty that could be imposed under federal immigration laws.

However, Judge Sorokin disagreed. He said the fee was effectively a tax, not a penalty, and only Congress has the authority to approve such a tax.

In his ruling, the judge stated that the administration lacked authorization from Congress to impose the fee.

H-1B Visa Program Is Important for Indian Professionals

The H-1B visa program is widely used by Indian professionals working in the United States.

Many major Indian IT companies also depend on the program to send skilled workers to client projects in the US.

Visa Applications Fell After Fee Announcement

According to court filings, the proposed fee discouraged employers from applying for H-1B visas.

The administration said that by February 15, only 85 payments of the $100,000 fee had been received.

Many businesses argued that the steep increase made hiring foreign talent far more expensive and difficult.

Read Also: LPG price hike: Will domestic gas cylinder prices increase again? Government gives big update