A U.S. federal judge has struck down former President Trump’s decision to impose a $100,000 fee on H-1B visas intended for foreign workers. Judge Leo Sorokin ruled that the president lacks any legal authority to levy such a tax without congressional approval. Spokesperson Taylor Rogers stated, “The president does have clear legal authority to restrict entry of foreigners deemed not in America’s interest.” Kathmandu, June 15.
The federal judge invalidated the $100,000 surcharge on new H-1B visas designed for highly skilled foreign workers, declaring the charge an unlawful tax. He determined that Congress never authorized the president to impose this fee. This ruling was issued on Monday in Boston by U.S. District Judge Leo Sorokin.
A coalition of 20 state attorneys general from the Democratic Party had filed the lawsuit challenging Trump’s fee. The president announced this fee in September last year, which significantly increased the cost of obtaining an H-1B visa. Under the H-1B program, 65,000 visas are allocated annually, with an additional 20,000 reserved for workers holding advanced degrees.
The Trump administration had also ordered stricter screening of H-1B applicants and proposed a new visa selection process prioritizing workers with higher skills and wages.
