A federal judge on 8 June, 2026, struck down a $100,000 H-1B visa fee imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump for highly skilled foreign workers, – Reuters reported.
Reuters also reported “U.S. District Judge Leo Sorokin in Boston issued the ruling, opens new tab in a lawsuit filed by 20 Democratic state attorneys general challenging a fee Trump announced in September that dramatically raised the cost of obtaining H-1B visas, which tech companies in particular rely heavily on to bring on foreign workers.”
Sorokin, who was appointed by Democratic President Barack Obama, wrote “Here, the substance and application of the $100,000 payment reveal that it is a tax, regardless of what the payment is called.”
Sorokin cited the U.S. Supreme Court’s February ruling striking down Trump’s sweeping tariffs he pursued under a law meant for use in national emergencies. “Under the logic of the justices’ decision in that case, Trump similarly had no authority under immigration law to levy a tax,” Sorokin said.
“This tax was an attack on America’s ability to attract and retain the high-skilled talent that strengthens our economy and helps us meet critical workforce needs,” Sorokin also said.
