A federal judge in the United States has invalidated a policy introduced under the Trump administration that imposed a $100,000 charge on new H-1B visa applications.
The decision was issued on Monday by Leo Sorokin in Boston, following a lawsuit filed by a coalition of 20 states challenging the fee increase.
In his ruling, Sorokin held that the executive branch went beyond its legal powers and failed to comply with the Administrative Procedure Act, which sets out how federal agencies must create and implement regulations. He also noted that the policy amounted to an unauthorized tax on visa petitions.
The H-1B visa programme allows U.S. employers to recruit highly skilled foreign professionals in sectors where local expertise is limited. It is widely used in the technology industry, with a large share of recipients coming from India.
The fee hike had been introduced by the Trump administration as part of efforts to reduce foreign employment and prioritize American workers. However, the move sparked strong opposition, with critics warning it would deepen labour shortages in healthcare, education, and research institutions.
The policy also triggered widespread uncertainty among employers and applicants, leading to multiple lawsuits across different federal courts in the United States.
In the case filed in Boston, the states argued that the fee would make it more difficult for schools, universities, and hospitals to recruit essential staff and would negatively affect medical services and academic research.
Reacting to the ruling, Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell said the decision protects the integrity of the H-1B system and ensures continued access to skilled professionals in critical sectors.
Medical groups also welcomed the judgment, with the American Medical Association describing it as beneficial for patients amid ongoing physician shortages.
However, the Department of Homeland Security criticized the ruling, accusing the court of overreach and defending the policy as part of immigration reforms aimed at protecting American jobs.
The White House has also expressed confidence that the decision will be overturned on appeal.
The case is one of several legal battles surrounding the policy, which remains under review in different U.S. courts.
