Washington, Dec 13 (V7N) – Attorneys general from 20 US states have filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration, challenging a steep increase in fees for the H-1B visa program, which allows American companies to hire skilled foreign workers. The states argue that the move is unlawful, unreasonable, and harmful to the US economy.

The lawsuit is led by California Attorney General Rob Bonta and Massachusetts Attorney General Joy Campbell, and is joined by their counterparts from Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, North Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, and Wisconsin.

In the court filing, Bonta said the Trump administration raised the H-1B visa fee to USD 100,000, calling the increase unnecessary, arbitrary, and illegal. He warned that the decision has discouraged visa applicants and contributed to labor shortages across key sectors of the US economy.

The complaint highlights California’s position as the world’s fourth-largest economy, stressing that skilled professionals from around the globe are essential to sustaining innovation, productivity, and economic growth.

The H-1B visa program, launched in 2004, permits US employers to temporarily hire foreign professionals, primarily in science, information technology, engineering, and business administration. Each year, 85,000 workers are admitted under the program. According to US labor data, major technology companies such as Amazon, Microsoft, Meta, Apple, and Google are among the largest beneficiaries, employing hundreds of H-1B visa holders.

The visa also offers a pathway to permanent residency and, eventually, US citizenship. H-1B holders can apply for permanent residence, and after five years, may become eligible for citizenship.

Previously, participating companies paid an annual fee of USD 1,500 per visa. However, the Trump administration raised the fee dramatically to USD 100,000 in September, triggering widespread criticism from businesses, educators, and healthcare providers.

The lawsuit notes that the higher fees have also negatively affected the education and healthcare sectors, which rely heavily on skilled foreign professionals. A recent survey found that 74 percent of US schools are facing teacher shortages in areas such as special education, physical sciences, bilingual education, and foreign languages, a trend partly attributed to the decline in H-1B visa applications.

The states are seeking to block the fee increase, arguing that it undermines US competitiveness and disrupts critical industries that depend on global talent.

News Source: AFP

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