Kathmandu. A U.S. federal judge on Monday struck down President Donald Trump’s $100,000 fee on new H-1B visas for highly skilled foreign workers.
U.S. District Judge Leo Sorokin ruled in favor of 20 states that challenged Trump’s new tariffs in September, the BBC’s US affiliate CBS News reported. The judge believes that the Trump administration has exceeded its jurisdiction by imposing a $100,000 fee on H-1B applications without congressional approval.
The judge, appointed by former President Barack Obama, wrote in his 42-page ruling, “There is no statutory power to allow the Trump administration to spend $100,000 on H-1B applications.” ’
In a statement, the Department of Homeland Security defended the Trump administration’s immigration reforms, describing Sorokin’s decision as “clear judicial activism”.
What is an H-1B visa?
According to CBS News, the H-1B visa program was established by Congress in 1990. It allows companies based in the United States to temporarily employ foreign workers in specific occupational sectors for a maximum of 5 years.
Congress has capped the number of H-1B visas issued each year to 65,000. An additional 20,000 visas can be issued to those with advanced degrees.
Under this visa program, employers have to pay a certain fee. It usually ranges from $1,700 to $4,500. But last year, Trump signed an order to add a $100,000 fee to all new H-1B applications.
According to the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIC), 71 percent of all H-1B visas approved in 2024 were from India. China was second with 11.7 percent. –Agency
