H-1B pushback: US Chamber sues govt, says fee violates immigration law

Oct 17, 2025

US Chamber of Commerce took legal action against the government’s decision to impose a $100,000 fee on H-1B visa petitions on Thursday, saying the move violates existing immigration law.

In its complaint, the Chamber argued that the new fee goes beyond the limits set by the Immigration and Nationality Act, which requires visa charges to reflect only the government’s administrative costs. Neil Bradley, the Chamber’s executive vice president and chief policy officer, said the steep fee would make it nearly impossible for many US employers, especially start-ups and small businesses to hire skilled foreign workers.

"The new $100,000 visa fee will make it cost-prohibitive for US employers, especially start-ups and small and midsize businesses, to utiliSe the H-1B program, which was created by Congress expressly to ensure that American businesses of all sizes can access the global talent they need to grow their operations here in the US," Bradley said, as per an official release by the US Chamber of Commerce.

Bradley also noted that while president Trump’s administration has prioritised border security and economic growth, the Chamber believed the US economy still needed skilled workers to sustain expansion.

He said the Chamber supports targeted immigration reforms that simplify the visa process and help retain global talent in the country.

"President Trump has embarked on an ambitious agenda of securing permanent pro-growth tax reforms, unleashing American energy, and unraveling the overregulation that has stifled growth. The Chamber and our members have actively backed these proposals to attract more investment in America. To support this growth, our economy will require more workers, not fewer," it said.

The organisation added that it is willing to work with Congress and the administration to create a fairer and more practical system for employers who depend on the H-1B programme.

[The Times of India]