A federal appeals court rejects Trump's bid to keep in place the $100,000 H-1B visa fee
Business Insider · 2026-07-25
A federal appeals court has rejected President Donald Trump's attempt to reinstate a $100,000 fee on new H-1B work visas. On July 24, 2026, the Boston-based 1st US Circuit Court of Appeals declined to pause a lower court ruling that blocked the fee, stating the government failed to demonstrate a likelihood of success in arguing the president's authority to impose it. The court characterized the payment as a "tax," regardless of its designation. Trump introduced the fee in September 2025 as part of an immigration crackdown, asserting the H-1B program was exploited to replace American workers. Brian Hunt, an immigration policy compliance lawyer, noted that while the impact on overall H-1B numbers is unclear given that many hires are already in the US, some individuals were able to secure job offers following the decision. The fee was legally challenged by 20 Democratic state attorneys general.
*The full article also explores the broader implications for US immigration policy and the administration's ongoing legal battles.*