Federal Appeals Court Refuses to Restore Trump’s $100,000 H-1B Visa Fee
A federal appeals court has refused to block a ruling that struck down former President Donald Trump's $100,000 fee for certain H-1B visa applications. The original decision was made by Judge Leo Sorokin in June 2026 and invalidated the additional charge imposed on employers seeking to hire foreign workers with advanced degrees from U.S. universities. The White House had appealed this ruling but failed to convince a three-judge panel of the First Circuit Court of Appeals that it would likely succeed in overturning the decision. The court found no compelling evidence provided by the administration supporting its case, effectively allowing Sorokin’s order to remain in place during ongoing legal proceedings. The H-1B visa program is widely used by tech companies and other industries reliant on skilled foreign labor. This ruling could impact how these firms manage hiring strategies for high-skilled workers.
