Second judge blocks Trump's $100,000 fee for new H-1B worker visas - Reuters

A federal judge has issued an order that temporarily blocks a $100,000 fee proposed for new H‑1B worker visas. The ruling marks the second judicial decision to halt the fee, which was introduced by the administration as part of a broader effort to increase the cost of the H‑1B program.

The latest injunction was granted by a judge in a separate jurisdiction after a prior judge in Boston issued a similar temporary block in June. Both orders suspend the implementation of the fee while the legal challenges proceed, preventing the administration from collecting the amount from prospective H‑1B applicants.

The fee, which would have applied to each new H‑1B visa petition, was intended to raise revenue for the government and to fund enforcement of immigration laws. Critics of the measure argued that the steep cost would deter employers from hiring foreign skilled workers and could harm the U.S. technology and research sectors.

The plaintiffs in the cases contend that the fee exceeds the authority granted to the executive branch and violates statutory limits on immigration fees. They have asked the courts to strike down the fee as unlawful and to prevent its enforcement pending a full review.

The administration has not yet indicated whether it will appeal the rulings or modify the fee structure. The legal battles are expected to continue, with the outcome likely to shape the future cost and accessibility of the H‑1B visa program.