Washington: In a major relief for foreign professionals, a US federal court has blocked the Trump administration’s decision to impose a $100,000 fee on H-1B visa applications.
Boston Federal District Judge Leo Sorokin termed the fee an “unlawful tax” and ruled that the President does not have the authority to impose such charges without approval from Congress.
The Trump administration had introduced the fee system in September last year, allowing faster processing of applications for new H-1B visa applicants who paid the additional $100,000 charge.
However, the court observed that powers related to immigration and taxation rest with the US Congress, and the administration had exceeded its legal authority.
The ruling came while hearing a petition filed by attorneys general of 20 Democratic-led states challenging the move.
The decision is expected to bring relief to thousands of skilled foreign workers, including a large number of Indian technology professionals seeking employment opportunities in the United States.
