Judge Vacates Trump’s $100,000 H-1B Fee
Nationwide vacatur of the $100,000 H‑1B fee after a judge found it a tax and an overreach of executive authority; the administration plans to appeal.
Raw StoryTrump administration $100,000 visa fee for highly skilled foreign workers struck down
The Post MillennialFederal judge blocks Trump’s $100,000 H-1B visa fees, claims it’s an unlawful tax
Washington ExaminerObama judge deals blow to Trump's $100,000 tax on H-1B visa workers
Daily SignalObama Judge Strikes Down Trump's H-1B Visa Policy
Overview
U.S. District Judge Leo Sorokin on Monday vacated President Trump's $100,000 fee on new H‑1B visas, finding the policy an unlawful tax and beyond executive authority.
Sorokin wrote in a 42‑page decision that the policy violated the Administrative Procedure Act and that the payment constituted a tax without congressional authorization.
Twenty states sued, saying the higher costs would worsen staffing shortages in schools, state universities and health care, while the Department of Homeland Security and the White House said they disagree and will appeal.
Previously H‑1B fees ranged roughly $960 to $7,595 before the $100,000 hike, and the program is capped at 65,000 plus 20,000 for U.S. master's degrees; 85 payments had been made as of February 15.
The administration plans to appeal, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce has pursued a separate case, and the fee was scheduled to expire in September 2026, leaving the dispute to appellate courts.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources treat the ruling matter-of-factly, emphasizing legal reasoning and practical effects while including administration pushback. They report the judge's tax finding, provide figures on prior fees and application declines, and cite competing lawsuits and appeals. Editorial language stays descriptive; quoted claims (e.g., "abused for decades") are attributed to officials.