POLITICS

US states sue Trump administration over H‑1B fee

PUBLISHED Dec 13, 2025, 6:13 AM ET

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Media Bias Meter

Sources: 12

Center 100%

Sources: 12

United States lawyers for 19–20 state coalitions filed lawsuits this week alleging the Trump administration unlawfully imposed a $100,000 fee on new H‑1B visa petitions. The complaints, filed in federal courts including the District of Massachusetts, argue the fee exceeds statutory authority, bypassed Congress, and will burden public-sector employers, universities, hospitals and research institutions. Attorneys general from California, New York, Oregon, Arizona and other states seek injunctions to block implementation after the administration announced the fee in September and applied it to applications filed after Sept. 21. Courts will determine legal remedies. Based on 11 articles reviewed and supporting research.

By Najma A. | JQJO News

Timeline of Events

Sept. 19 — Presidential proclamation announced $100,000 fee on new H‑1B petitions.
Sept. 21 — Administration applied the fee to petitions filed after this date.
Early December — Stakeholders including businesses and unions prepared legal challenges.
Dec. 13–14 — State coalitions (19–20 states) filed federal lawsuits alleging unlawful fee.
Post‑filing — Courts began reviewing motions for injunctions and legal briefs from both sides.

Media Bias

Articles Published:: 12
Right Leaning:: 0
Left Leaning:: 0
Neutral:: 12
Distribution:: Left 0%, Center 100%, Right 0%

Who Benefited

Proponents of the fee argued it would protect American wages and deter perceived H‑1B misuse, potentially benefiting domestic workers and employers prioritizing U.S.-based hires, according to White House statements cited in coverage.

Who Impacted

State attorneys general and plaintiff coalitions contend that public-sector employers, universities, hospitals, research institutions and private employers that rely on skilled foreign workers would suffer increased costs and hiring barriers.