According to an Associated Press report on June 8, a U.S. federal judge ruled that the Trump administration’s policy imposing a $100,000 fee on new H-1B work visa applications is unlawful, finding that the executive branch exceeded its statutory authority. The ruling not only overturns a previous decision by another federal court that had upheld the policy, but also further escalates the legal dispute surrounding high-skilled immigration visas.
Court rules White House exceeded authority in fee imposition
U.S. District Judge Leo Sorokin of the District of Massachusetts issued a ruling on June 6 in support of a lawsuit brought jointly by 20 states, declaring the Trump administration’s H-1B visa fee increase invalid.
In his decision, Sorokin wrote that the federal government was effectively imposing a new “tax” on H-1B applications, but Congress never granted the executive branch such authority, thus violating the Administrative Procedure Act.
“The court finds that the Policy imposes a tax on H-1B petitions without the requisite delegation by Congress,” Sorokin wrote.
The Trump administration had previously announced that it would raise the fee for new H-1B visa applications to $100,000, arguing the move was intended to protect the U.S. labor market and prevent foreign workers from taking domestic jobs.
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However, state governments argued the policy would significantly harm talent recruitment in education, healthcare, and research, worsening existing labor shortages.
Education and healthcare sectors warn of talent loss
The H-1B visa is primarily aimed at highly skilled professionals and is widely used in technology, healthcare, education, and scientific research.
Data from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services shows that nearly three-quarters of approved H-1B holders in recent years have come from India. Major technology companies such as Google, Microsoft, Amazon, and Meta have been among the primary users of the program.
States involved in the lawsuit said that even before the new fee policy, public schools, universities, and healthcare institutions were already struggling to recruit foreign talent, and the $100,000 fee would further obstruct hiring.
In a press release, Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell said the ruling preserves the original purpose of the H-1B program.
“Today’s victory protects the integrity of the H-1B visa program as a tool to address severe labor shortages in vital industries like education, healthcare, and medical research.
In Massachusetts, this win will ensure we can fill critical vacancies and hire world-class faculty and researchers at colleges and universities across the Commonwealth,” said Campbell.
She added that universities and research institutions in Massachusetts will be able to continue attracting world-class professors, researchers, and professionals.
Medical community calls ruling a ‘victory for patients’
American Medical Association President Bobby Mukkamala also welcomed the decision.
In a press release he said it represents not only a victory in immigration policy, but also a victory for patients.
“At a time when communities across the country face physician shortages and growing barriers to care, we should be removing obstacles—not creating new ones— to attract talented physicians and other highly skilled professionals. International medical graduates play a vital role in caring for patients, particularly in underserved and rural areas,” he said.
According to data from the American Medical Association and the Association of American Medical Colleges, the United States could face a shortage of tens of thousands of physicians over the next decade, with rural and underserved areas being hit hardest.
Many international medical graduates have long relied on H-1B visas to practice in the U.S. and provide primary care services.
The Wall Street Journal previously reported that some hospitals have warned that if visa restrictions continue to tighten, parts of the healthcare system in remote regions could face staffing crises.
White House vows appeal as H-1B dispute continues
Following the loss in court, the Trump administration quickly responded.
In a statement, the Department of Homeland Security said it disagreed with the ruling, calling it “blatant judicial activism” that undermines the president’s efforts to reform immigration policy.
The statement cited DHS leadership as saying that immigration reform should prioritize American citizens, workers, and families rather than large-scale foreign labor inflows.
White House spokesperson Taylor Rogers said the administration is confident it will overturn the ruling on appeal.
In fact, this is not the only lawsuit involving the H-1B fee policy.
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has also filed suit in federal court in Washington, while religious organizations and labor groups have challenged the policy in federal court in San Francisco. With multiple federal circuits reviewing related cases, legal experts expect potentially conflicting rulings, with possible eventual intervention by the U.S. Supreme Court.
Analysts note that the H-1B visa has become a central issue in U.S. immigration debates. One side emphasizes protecting domestic jobs, while the other argues that U.S. innovation, healthcare, and higher education systems heavily depend on international talent. With the 2026 midterm elections approaching, political and legal battles over high-skilled immigration are expected to intensify further.
