US States Sue Trump Over $100,000 H-1B Visa Fee Proposal

California, along with 18 other US states, has filed a lawsuit against President Donald Trump's proposed $100,000 fee for new H-1B visas aimed at highly skilled foreign workers. The lawsuit, filed in federal court in Massachusetts, seeks to block the fee, which California Attorney General Rob Bonta's office claims violates federal law. The fee, announced in September, would significantly increase the cost of obtaining H-1B visas, which currently range from $2,000 to $5,000. Bonta argues that Trump lacks the authority to impose such a fee, stating that it would place unnecessary financial strain on essential service providers, including education and healthcare sectors. The states joining California in the lawsuit include New York, Massachusetts, Illinois, New Jersey, and Washington. The White House has defended the measure, arguing it is a lawful use of executive power and aims to deter abuse of the H-1B program. Critics of the H-1B visa program claim it is sometimes used to replace American workers with lower-paid foreign employees, while business groups argue it helps address a shortage of qualified US workers.