Trump administration to defend $100,000 H-1B visa fee

The Trump administration announced it will participate in federal court proceedings starting this week to defend its newly imposed $100,000 fee on H-1B visa petitions, a policy that has sparked widespread reaction from businesses, unions, and advocacy groups. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated, “The administration will fight these lawsuits in court. The president's main priority has always been to put American workers first and to strengthen our visa system. For far too long, the H-1B visa system has been spammed with fraud, and that's driven down American wages. So the president wants to refine this system, which is part of the reason he implemented these new policies.”

President Trump has repeatedly emphasized that the fee is designed to benefit U.S. traders and domestic businesses. He said, “The $100,000 fee for foreign employees to obtain an H-1B visa will compel U.S. companies to hire Americans, instead of relying on labor from overseas.” He described the policy as a necessary step to reform a system he believes has long been exploited and to protect domestic employment opportunities.

The fee has faced significant opposition. Last week, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce filed a lawsuit against the measure, calling it “misguided” and “plainly unlawful,” warning that it could harm American innovation and competitiveness. Additional legal challenges have also been launched by unions, employers, and religious organizations in California, reflecting broad opposition to the policy.

Despite the pushback, the administration remains committed to defending the fee in court, framing it as an essential step to overhaul the H-1B visa program, prevent fraud, and ensure that American workers are prioritized over foreign labor in key industries.