US judge strikes down Trump’s US$100,000 H-1B visa fee as unlawful

A federal judge in Boston has invalidated a $100,000 surcharge that the Trump administration attempted to impose on new H-1B visa applications. District Judge Leo Sorokin ruled that the executive branch lacked the legislative authority to implement such a significant fee, effectively labeling it an unlawful tax. The legal challenge was initiated by a coalition of 20 Democratic state attorneys general who argued that the measure exceeded presidential power. This policy was originally introduced in September as a means to increase costs for companies seeking to hire highly skilled foreign professionals. By striking down the mandate, the court has prevented a substantial financial barrier that would have significantly impacted the tech industry's recruitment efforts. The ruling reinforces the principle that major fiscal changes require explicit authorization from Congress rather than executive decree.

The decision prevents a massive, unauthorized financial hurdle for companies that rely on international talent and clarifies the limits of executive authority regarding immigration-related fees.