The US Chamber of Commerce filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration. The lawsuit challenges the new $100,000 fee on H-1B visas. In a press release, the Chamber said the fee is unlawful, adding it “overrides provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Act that govern the H-1B program, including the requirement that fees be based on the costs incurred by the government in processing visas.”

Trump Raises H-1B Fees

Last month, President Donald Trump raised the H-1B visa fee to $100,000 per year. The program allows U.S. employers to hire foreign workers in specialty fields. Technology companies rely heavily on H-1B workers.

Critics say H-1B visas replace American workers with cheaper foreign labor. But businesses argue the program is essential to fill skill gaps in the U.S. workforce.

Chamber Warns of Business Impact

Neil Bradley, executive vice president at the Chamber, said, “The new $100,000 visa fee will make it cost-prohibitive for U.S. employers, especially start-ups and small and midsize businesses, to utilize the H-1B program, which was created by Congress expressly to ensure that American businesses of all sizes can access the global talent they need to grow their operations here in the U.S.”

Currently, employers pay $2,000 to $5,000 in fees to sponsor H-1B workers.

How the Fee Works

Trump’s order requires new H-1B recipients to pay the extra $100,000 fee before entering the U.S. The rule does not apply to current H-1B holders or applications submitted before September 21.

The administration said the fee protects American interests and prevents abuse of the program.

Trump’s Reasoning

Trump said the H-1B program undercuts American workers and national security. He claimed it discourages Americans from entering science and technology fields.

He added that the “large-scale replacement of American workers” through H-1B visas threatens the country’s economic and national security.

The administration called the fee a measure to restore integrity to the program.