Donald Trump has experienced enough court cases to fill a lifetime. But he’s back in the hot seat once again.
And now President Trump was thrown straight back into court after being hit with this lawsuit.
U.S. Chamber of Commerce Sues Over New H-1B Visa Fee
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, representing 300,000 businesses, launched a legal challenge on Thursday against President Donald Trump’s imposition of a $100,000 fee on new H-1B visas for highly skilled foreign workers.
This marks the Chamber’s first lawsuit against the Trump administration since the president began his second term in January.
The lawsuit, filed in Washington, D.C., federal court, contends that Trump’s September proclamation exceeds his authority and disrupts the H-1B visa system established by Congress.
Impact on Businesses and the H-1B Program
The H-1B program, critical for industries like technology, enables U.S. employers to hire foreign professionals in specialized fields, offering 65,000 visas annually plus 20,000 for advanced-degree holders, valid for three to six years.
The Chamber argues that the new $100,000 fee forces companies to either absorb steep cost increases or reduce hiring of skilled talent.
“Many members of the U.S. Chamber are bracing for the need to scale back or entirely walk away from the H-1B program, to the detriment of their investors, customers, and their own existing employees,” the lawsuit states.
Current H-1B petition costs typically range from $2,000 to $5,000, with most under $3,600, making the new fee a significant burden.
Legal and Policy Controversy Surrounding the Fee
Trump’s order, invoking federal immigration law, claims the fee addresses the “large-scale replacement of American workers” through the H-1B program, citing economic and national security concerns.
However, the Chamber counters that the fee, paid by employers rather than visa recipients, does not qualify as an entry restriction.
This policy faces additional scrutiny, with another lawsuit filed this month in California federal court by unions, employers, and religious groups.
Critics of H-1B visas argue they displace American workers with cheaper labor, while supporters, including major companies, emphasize their role in filling critical skill gaps.
The fee will apply to H-1B applicants selected in the March annual lottery, with the White House yet to comment on the litigation.
