Major U.S. Business Group Challenges Trump’s $100,000 H-1B Visa Fee

Post by : Saif Ali Khan

A major fight has begun between the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and President Donald Trump’s administration over a new rule that would charge a $100,000 fee for every new H-1B visa. The H-1B visa is a program that allows U.S. companies to hire skilled workers from other countries, especially in technology, engineering, and science.

The Chamber of Commerce, which represents more than 300,000 businesses, filed a lawsuit in federal court in Washington, D.C., saying that the new fee is illegal and goes beyond the president’s authority. This is the first lawsuit the Chamber has filed against Trump since he began his second term in January.

What Is the H-1B Visa?

The H-1B visa program lets U.S. employers hire foreign professionals for jobs that need special skills, such as computer programming, medicine, or engineering. Each year, about 65,000 visas are given out, with an additional 20,000 for workers who have advanced degrees.

These visas are valid for three to six years. Big technology companies, including Google, Amazon, and Microsoft, depend on this system to fill jobs that require technical skills.

Until now, employers have paid between $2,000 and $5,000 in government fees for each visa application. The total cost for filing an H-1B petition is usually less than $3,600.

Trump’s new rule, however, adds a massive $100,000 charge for every new visa, starting next year.

Why Businesses Are Angry

The Chamber of Commerce argues that this new fee would hurt American companies that depend on skilled foreign workers. It says the policy will force companies to make a tough choice — either pay the huge new cost or stop hiring international talent altogether.

“Many of our members are preparing to reduce or completely give up on the H-1B program,” the Chamber said in its statement. “This will hurt investors, customers, and even American employees who work with these foreign professionals.”

The group also said that Trump’s action breaks the law, because the power to create or change visa programs belongs to Congress, not the president.

Trump’s Justification

President Trump says he introduced the $100,000 fee to protect American workers. In a statement made in September, Trump argued that foreign workers hired through the H-1B program are replacing American employees and lowering wages.

He said that “large-scale replacement of American workers” threatens U.S. economic and national security, and that it is time for businesses to hire Americans first.

Trump used a section of U.S. immigration law that allows the president to block or limit the entry of certain foreigners if it is “harmful to the interests of the United States.”

Under his order, no new H-1B visa holder will be allowed to enter the country unless their employer pays the $100,000 fee. This rule will apply first to workers selected in the H-1B visa lottery next March.

Other Lawsuits Filed

The Chamber of Commerce is not alone. Other groups, including labor unions, religious organizations, and business coalitions, have filed similar lawsuits in California. They also say the fee is unfair, unconstitutional, and damaging to the economy.

Many of these groups believe the fee will make it impossible for small and medium-sized businesses to hire skilled workers from abroad. They say only large corporations with deep pockets could afford the cost, which would create an unequal job market.

The Debate Over H-1B Visas

The H-1B visa system has always been controversial. Critics say it allows companies to replace American workers with cheaper foreign labor, especially in the tech sector.

However, business leaders and economists argue the opposite. They say the H-1B program helps fill a skills gap in the U.S. workforce. Many jobs in technology and science cannot be easily filled by local workers because there are not enough qualified candidates.

Supporters also point out that H-1B workers contribute to the U.S. economy through taxes and innovation. Several leading American companies, including founders of major tech firms, started out as immigrants who came through visa programs.

What Happens Next?

The lawsuit filed by the Chamber of Commerce could take months to resolve. If the court sides with the business group, Trump’s fee could be blocked or delayed. But if the court supports the administration, companies may have to start paying the new amount from next year.

The White House has not yet commented on the lawsuit. The outcome will have a major effect on the technology industry, immigration policy, and America’s global competitiveness.

For now, both sides are standing firm. The Chamber says it will continue to fight for fair business practices, while the Trump administration insists that the new rule is necessary to protect American jobs.

A Wider Impact

If the fee remains in place, it could reduce the number of foreign professionals coming to the United States. That may slow down innovation and growth, especially in the technology, health care, and engineering sectors.

Experts warn that other countries, such as Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia, could benefit as skilled workers look for better opportunities elsewhere.

“America has always been a global magnet for talent,” said one industry analyst. “This rule risks driving that talent away.”

The new $100,000 H-1B visa fee marks a major shift in U.S. immigration and labor policy. While the Trump administration says it wants to protect American jobs, businesses argue that it will hurt the U.S. economy by cutting off access to global talent.

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