US Lawmakers Welcome Court Order Striking Down USD 100,000 H-1B Visa Fee

A federal court ruling that struck down the USD 100,000 fee on H-1B visa applications has received support from lawmakers across party lines, with many arguing that the measure would have worsened labour shortages in critical sectors such as healthcare and education. The White House, however, has signalled that it intends to challenge the decision in an appeals court.

The ruling was delivered by a federal judge in Massachusetts, who found that the fee introduced by US President Donald Trump was unlawful because it lacked approval from Congress. The fee had been imposed through a presidential proclamation signed in September last year and applied to new H-1B visa applications for highly skilled foreign workers.

Republican lawmakers who welcomed the decision focused largely on the programme’s role in addressing workforce shortages rather than its use in the technology sector. Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska said many school districts in rural and remote areas of the state rely on H-1B visas to recruit qualified teachers. She noted that the issue is not viewed as partisan in Alaska and said the ruling came at a crucial time as schools prepare for hiring ahead of the next academic year.

The White House defended the fee, maintaining that the H-1B programme has been misused for years. White House spokesperson Taylor Rogers said President Trump had acted to reform the system and expressed confidence that the court order would eventually be overturned on appeal. Rogers also pointed to an earlier ruling by a federal judge in Washington that had upheld a similar measure.

Several Democratic lawmakers praised the judgment. Congressman Don Beyer of Virginia said the fee would have created significant financial burdens for employers and placed additional pressure on healthcare facilities already facing staffing shortages. He described the court order as an important step in preventing unnecessary obstacles for hospitals and medical institutions.

Republican Congressman Mike Lawler also welcomed the ruling, noting that he has introduced bipartisan H-1Bs for Physicians and the Healthcare Workforce Act , which seeks to exempt healthcare professionals from such fees. He said the court’s decision was encouraging while efforts continue in Congress to address workforce needs.

Democratic Congressman Sanford Bishop Jr. of Georgia argued that the fee would have discouraged highly skilled professionals from coming to the United States and contributing to economic growth and innovation. He added that many rural and underserved hospitals, including those in southwest Georgia, already struggle to maintain adequate staffing levels.

The legal challenge was led by California Attorney General Rob Bonta , who headed a coalition of California and 19 other states. Bonta said the fee would have undermined America’s ability to attract and retain talented workers needed in sectors facing labour shortages, particularly healthcare. He described the ruling as a victory for employers, communities and essential public services.

New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport also welcomed the decision, saying the courts had agreed that the administration could not impose an unprecedented USD 100,000 charge on H-1B applications. She highlighted the contributions made by immigrant nurses, physicians, researchers and other skilled professionals.

Not all reactions were positive. Republican Congressman Eli Crane criticised the ruling and urged support for his proposed End H-1B Visa Abuse Act of 2026 , arguing that Congress should pursue reforms to prevent abuse of the visa programme.

While supporters view the ruling as a major victory for employers and skilled workers, the issue is likely to remain contentious as the administration prepares to appeal the decision.