US chamber of commerce sues President Donald Trump's administration over $100,000 H-1B visa fee
TOI GLOBAL DESK | TOI GLOBAL NEW | Oct 17, 2025, 21:56 IST
Lawsuit seeks to stop Trump's $100,000 fee for H-1B visas
The US Chamber of Commerce has filed a lawsuit challenging President Trump’s new $100,000 fee on H-1B visas, arguing it could make hiring highly skilled foreign workers prohibitively expensive for U.S. companies. Tech leaders warn the policy risks driving up labor costs and discouraging talent recruitment. The administration defends the move as a measure to protect American workers and discourage wage suppression.
The US Chamber of Commerce has filed a lawsuit challenging the Trump administration’s newly introduced $100,000 fee on H-1B visas, a program that allows highly skilled foreign workers to join U.S. companies.
The lawsuit argues that the fee would make the H-1B program cost-prohibitive for many employers, particularly in the tech sector. Neil Bradley, the Chamber’s Chief Policy Officer, said the fee risks forcing companies to either significantly raise labor costs or reduce hiring of highly skilled employees.
President Donald Trump signed the executive order last month, claiming the H-1B program had been misused. The order applies only to new visa applications and mandates the additional payment for entry. The White House has defended the move as a lawful, incremental reform designed to protect U.S. workers and discourage wage suppression.
The policy has drawn criticism from tech executives, including Elon Musk, Satya Nadella, and Sundar Pichai, all of whom began their careers in the U.S. under H-1B visas. They argue the program is vital for attracting global talent.
Trump’s order also introduced a 'gold card' visa, offering expedited processing for certain immigrants willing to pay fees starting at $1 million.
US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick endorsed the plan, stating, “Companies need to decide whether a worker is valuable enough to justify the $100,000 fee or if they should hire an American.”
Many H-1B holders come from India and China, and tech companies have emphasized that their skill sets are not easily replaceable by domestic workers. White House spokesperson Taylor Rogers highlighted that the fee is intended to prevent companies from undercutting American wages.
The lawsuit signals a significant legal and political challenge for the administration as it attempts to reshape U.S. immigration policy for skilled labor.
The lawsuit argues that the fee would make the H-1B program cost-prohibitive for many employers, particularly in the tech sector. Neil Bradley, the Chamber’s Chief Policy Officer, said the fee risks forcing companies to either significantly raise labor costs or reduce hiring of highly skilled employees.
President Donald Trump signed the executive order last month, claiming the H-1B program had been misused. The order applies only to new visa applications and mandates the additional payment for entry. The White House has defended the move as a lawful, incremental reform designed to protect U.S. workers and discourage wage suppression.
The policy has drawn criticism from tech executives, including Elon Musk, Satya Nadella, and Sundar Pichai, all of whom began their careers in the U.S. under H-1B visas. They argue the program is vital for attracting global talent.
Trump’s order also introduced a 'gold card' visa, offering expedited processing for certain immigrants willing to pay fees starting at $1 million.
US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick endorsed the plan, stating, “Companies need to decide whether a worker is valuable enough to justify the $100,000 fee or if they should hire an American.”
Many H-1B holders come from India and China, and tech companies have emphasized that their skill sets are not easily replaceable by domestic workers. White House spokesperson Taylor Rogers highlighted that the fee is intended to prevent companies from undercutting American wages.
The lawsuit signals a significant legal and political challenge for the administration as it attempts to reshape U.S. immigration policy for skilled labor.