A United States federal judge has delivered a boost to President Donald Trump’s hardline immigration agenda.
The ruling clears the way for a proposed $100,000 fee on new H-1B visas.
The decision has sent shockwaves through corporate America and immigrant communities alike.
On Tuesday in Washington, DC, US District Judge Beryl Howell dismissed a lawsuit challenging the policy.
The case was brought by the US Chamber of Commerce. The group argued that the massive fee increase would damage businesses and violate immigration law.
However, the court disagreed, therefore allowing the proposal to stand.
Judge Howell ruled that Trump acted within the law when issuing the proclamation.
She noted that the decision was backed by “an express statutory grant of authority to the President.”
According to the judge, the courts are not meant to weigh political wisdom. Instead, they must focus strictly on legality.
“The parties’ vigorous debate over the ultimate wisdom of this political judgment is not within the province of the courts,” Howell wrote, according to Reuters.
She added, “So long as the actions dictated by the policy decision and articulated in the Proclamation fit within the confines of the law, the Proclamation must be upheld.”
The ruling has major implications for employers across the United States.
The H-1B visa program allows companies to hire skilled foreign workers. It is heavily used in technology, healthcare, engineering, and research fields.
Each year, 65,000 visas are issued, with an extra 20,000 reserved for advanced degree holders.
Until now, application fees usually ranged between $2,000 and $5,000.
Under Trump’s proposal, however, that cost would surge dramatically. The new $100,000 H-1B visa fee represents a historic jump. Moreover, it could change hiring decisions across several industries.
The Chamber of Commerce had warned that the policy would hit small and medium-sized businesses hardest.
Its executive vice president and chief counsel, Daryl Joseffer, expressed disappointment after the ruling.
“We are disappointed in the court’s decision and are considering further legal options to ensure that the H-1B visa program can operate as Congress intended,” he said.
Critics argue the move may force companies to cut jobs or relocate work overseas. Supporters, meanwhile, say it protects American workers and discourages visa abuse. Meanwhile, hospitals and tech firms are reviewing future hiring plans.
The Trump H-1B visa fee ruling is likely to remain controversial. In addition, it may face political and legal pushback ahead.
