US judge strikes down Donald Trump's $100k visa fee, calls it unlawful

A U.S. federal judge has struck down a $100,000 fee that former President Donald Trump had mandated for new H-1B visas, deeming the charge unlawful. The ruling came from District Judge Leo Sorokin in Boston.

The fee, announced in September, significantly raised the cost for highly skilled foreign workers seeking H-1B visas. This move was part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to tighten regulations on the program, which is designed to attract foreign professionals for specialized technical roles.

The lawsuit challenging the fee was filed by 20 Democratic state attorneys general. They argued against the increased cost, which was introduced via a presidential proclamation. The H-1B visa program has faced scrutiny over its use by companies, particularly in the tech sector, to hire foreign workers at lower wages.

Judge Sorokin's decision effectively nullifies the fee, impacting the administration's efforts to alter the skilled foreign worker program through such measures.