The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has filed a lawsuit challenging the Trump administration’s decision to impose a $100,000 annual fee on H-1B worker visas, calling it unlawful and damaging to American businesses.
Last month, President Donald Trump announced the new fee as part of his plan to overhaul the H-1B program, which allows companies to temporarily hire foreign workers in high-skilled fields such as technology and engineering.
In its lawsuit, the Chamber said the fee “overrides provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Act” that govern the H-1B program and requires fees to reflect actual government processing costs.
“The new $100,000 visa fee will make it cost-prohibitive for U.S. employers, especially startups and small and midsize businesses, to utilize the H-1B program,” said Neil Bradley, executive vice president and chief policy officer at the Chamber.
The Trump administration has argued the fee will push companies to hire more U.S. workers. But the move is expected to hit the tech industry hard, especially startups and venture-backed firms that rely heavily on skilled workers from India and China.
Before the change, H-1B fees typically ranged from $2,000 to $5,000 per application. The program currently caps visas at 65,000 per year, with an additional 20,000 for individuals holding advanced degrees.
The Chamber’s lawsuit adds to mounting opposition from business groups and Big Tech companies, which have been major beneficiaries of the program.
The White House has not yet commented on the legal challenge.