States Sue Trump Over H-1B Visa Fee
Analysis based on 14 articles · First reported Dec 12, 2025 · Last updated Dec 13, 2025
The lawsuit challenging Donald Trump's $100,000 H-1B visa fee creates uncertainty for businesses, particularly in the Technology and Healthcare industries, which rely heavily on H-1B visa holders. If the fee is upheld, it could increase operational costs for companies like Amazon (company), Microsoft, Meta Platforms, and Apple Inc., potentially leading to labor shortages and pushing jobs overseas. Conversely, if the lawsuit is successful, it would alleviate financial burdens on employers and maintain the current flow of skilled foreign workers into the United States.
United States — California and 19 other US states, led by Attorney General Rob Bonta, have filed a lawsuit against President Donald Trump to block a new $100,000 fee on H-1B visas for highly skilled foreign workers. The lawsuit, filed in federal court in Boston, argues that Donald Trump lacks the authority to impose such a fee, as it violates federal law by exceeding the cost of administering visa programs and unilaterally imposing revenue-generating fees, a power reserved for Congress. The H-1B visa program is crucial for the Technology, Healthcare, and Education sectors, with companies like Amazon (company), Microsoft, Meta Platforms, and Apple Inc. relying on these visas. Critics of the fee, including the United States Chamber of Commerce, warn it will create significant financial burdens, exacerbate labor shortages, and potentially lead to job outsourcing. The United States — White House defends the fee as a lawful exercise of presidential power to discourage abuse of the H-1B program and prioritize American workers. This lawsuit is one of several legal challenges against the new policy.
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