US Court Rejects H-1B Visa Fee Hike The U.S. court ruled on June 9, 2026, that President Donald Trump’s plan to significantly increase fees for H-1B visas—intended to bolster immigration control—was unlawful. The decision, issued by Boston-based U.S. District Judge Leo Sorokin, invalidated the administration’s proposal to raise the fee for H-1B visas to $100,000 (approximately 84 lakh Indian rupees). The court emphasized that the federal government lacked legal authority to impose such a fee without congressional approval. The ruling followed a joint petition from attorneys general of 20 Democratic states, which argued the fee hike exceeded the president’s executive powers. The court’s decision highlighted that the fee increase would disproportionately harm critical sectors like education and healthcare. It also warned that the financial burden could deter U.S. companies from hiring foreign workers, undermining the H-1B program’s purpose. The ruling was framed as a countermeasure to Trump’s immigration policies, which aimed to restrict foreign labor access. Indian professionals, who constitute over 70% of the H-1B visa recipients, welcomed the decision as a major relief. The program has long been a cornerstone for Indian IT professionals seeking employment in the U.S., with thousands securing visas annually. The court’s rejection of the fee hike was seen as a setback for Trump’s broader immigration agenda, which sought to prioritize domestic workers over foreign labor. The case underscored the legal and economic implications of executive overreach in immigration policy. While the administration argued the fee was necessary to fund immigration services, the court stressed that such measures require legislative backing.#donald_trump #h1b_visa #us_court #leo_sorokin #indian_professionals
