(SeaPRwire) – By: Julian Holbrooke
A US federal judge struck down Trump’s $100,000 fee on new skilled-worker visas. The White House said it aimed to curb abuse and protect American jobs, but the judge ruled the charge was effectively a tax and the administration had no authority without Congress approval. The fee applied to new H-1B visa petitions filed outside the US. This program, widely used by tech companies, caps visas at 65,000 a year, with 20,000 more for advanced degree holders. Trump argued the system was abused, but the judge sided with 20 states challenging the policy. The Department of Homeland Security denounced the ruling, insisting the fee protected US workers. The H-1B program has long divided policymakers, with supporters saying it fills specialized roles and critics claiming it undercuts American workers.
Author bio: Julian Holbrooke, overseas international relations analyst for major European dailies.