Trump H-1B Visa Fee Sued: Coalition Seeks to Block $100K Order

A strong coalition of doctors, professors, and religious organisations has filed the first lawsuit against President Trump’s $100,000 H-1B visa fee, calling it an illegal mandate that has caused immediate “chaos” for employers and immigrant professionals, especially those from various backgrounds in India.

On September 19, President Trump announced a $100,000 fee for the H-1B visa, claiming the program was being “deliberately exploited” to lower American wages. The short 36-hour deadline caused a rush among employers, resulting in thousands of mostly Indian visa holders quickly returning to the US.

The coalition emphasised the importance of the H-1B program in healthcare and education, warning that high fees could lead to the loss of medical staff, pastors, and teachers, thereby disrupting US services and innovation.

Major unions, rural medical groups, H-1B-dependent schools, churches, and high-skilled individuals oppose the fee, citing its harmful immediate effects on sectors.

Wolfson of the American Association of University Professors warns limiting H-1B visas will hurt innovation, global talent, and research.

Dr. Walker of CIR highlights that H-1B physicians are skilled professionals, not cheap labour, and warns the fee could reduce their numbers, harming US healthcare and patient care.

UAW’s Miller criticises the directive for favouring wealth over expertise, preventing the US from attracting top scientists. Karen Tumlin of the Justice Action Centre sees the action as shutting out vital engineers and innovators.

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The H-1B program, designed to attract high-skilled workers, faces criticism for misuse. A lawsuit highlights the need for professionals like nurses and scholars. Critics argue that the program is exploited to lower American wages by hiring international talent paid approximately $60,000, which is below typical US tech salaries.