Judge Upholds Trump’s $100,000 H-1B Visa Fee, Sending Shockwaves Through Tech and Universities

A US federal judge has upheld President Donald Trump’s $100,000 fee for H-1B visa applications. The ruling gives the White House a major legal win. It also raises fresh concern among businesses and universities.

US District Judge Beryl Howell issued the decision on Tuesday. The ruling runs 56 pages. She said the president acted within the law. She added that Trump has broad authority to act on economic and national security matters. Still, she acknowledged the policy could cause serious harm to companies and higher education institutions.

The fee was announced in September. It took effect just 36 hours later. As a result, confusion spread quickly. Employers struggled to understand how the fee would apply. Many were unsure who would be affected. Hiring plans were disrupted. Costs rose overnight.

The move is part of Trump’s wider immigration crackdown. He has pushed aggressive measures since returning to the White House. Until now, the H-1B programme had avoided direct targeting. Trump argues the visa system is abused. He claims it replaces American workers with cheaper foreign labour.

The United States issues 85,000 H-1B visas each year. The visas are awarded through a lottery. Indian nationals receive about three-quarters of them. Tech firms and research institutions depend heavily on the programme. Several industry leaders have raised alarms. Elon Musk, a former Trump ally, is among them. They warn the US lacks enough local talent to fill key roles.

The lawsuit against the fee was filed by the US Chamber of Commerce. The Association of American Universities joined the case. The group represents 69 research institutions. The plaintiffs argued H-1B workers drive productivity and innovation. They said the fee threatens long-term economic growth.

The Chamber often supports Republican policies. Still, it opposed the measure. According to OpenSecrets.org, it spent over $76 million on lobbying in 2024. It also donated nearly $6 million to Republican candidates.

Despite the ruling, the fight is not over. At least two other lawsuits remain active. The future of the $100,000 H-1B fee is still uncertain.