A major legal setback has hit former US President Donald Trump's immigration policy after a federal court rejected the administration's proposal to sharply increase H-1B visa application fees. The ruling blocks a plan that sought to raise the application fee for the skilled worker visa programme to 100,000 US dollars, a move that had drawn widespread criticism from states, educational institutions and immigrant communities.
The court ruled that the proposed fee hike could not be implemented without approval from Congress. Judges agreed with arguments that the administration had exceeded its authority by attempting to introduce the new fee structure through executive action rather than the legislative process.
Earlier, the US Court of Appeals in Boston had also questioned the legality of the policy. A coalition of 20 Democratic attorneys general challenged the proposal, arguing that such a steep increase would severely affect universities, public schools, research institutions and healthcare providers that rely on highly skilled international professionals.
According to the lawsuit, the increased financial burden would discourage employers from hiring qualified foreign workers, potentially disrupting academic research, medical services and education across several states. California and 19 other states supported the legal challenge, describing the proposal as harmful to economic growth and innovation.
The proposed fee was introduced in September last year without congressional approval, prompting immediate legal opposition. Following the latest ruling, the White House indicated that it intends to appeal the decision.
The judgment has been welcomed by many Indian professionals and members of the Indian diaspora, as India remains the largest source of H-1B visa recipients. Observers believe the ruling offers temporary relief to skilled workers and employers while the legal battle continues.
