A diverse coalition of workers filed a lawsuit on October 3, 2025, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, also known as the San Francisco federal court, to halt President Donald Trump’s $100,000 H-1B visa fee. The group, comprising healthcare professionals, university professors, and religious leaders, calls the fee illegal. They argue it disrupts innovation and economic growth in the US.
The suit seeks an immediate block on the order. “Hospitals will lose staff, church pastors, and classroom teachers,” the coalition stated. “Industries risk losing key innovators without relief.” This comes amid Trump’s broader immigration crackdown since his return to office in January 2025.
Trump announced the fee last month, effective after just 36 hours’ notice. This sparked confusion over implementation and costs. The H-1B program, vital to Silicon Valley, awards 85,000 visas annually via a lottery. India receives about 75% of them. Trump claims abuse displaces American workers with lower-paid foreigners.
Read: Trump Administration Sets $100,000 Annual Fee for H-1B Visa Sponsorships
However, tech leaders like Elon Musk warn against cuts. They say the US lacks enough domestic talent for tech roles. The fee could exacerbate shortages, the coalition argues.
Why the Coalition Opposes It
The lawsuit highlights immediate harms. Employers face unpredictable costs, forcing hiring freezes. For instance, hospitals may lose international doctors, and universities may lose their foreign faculty. Religious groups worry about replacing pastors from abroad.
The plaintiffs seek to restore stability for employers and workers. Without it, the US economy suffers, they claim.
Trump’s policy targets H-1B for the first time in his second term. It aligns with delays in key jobs reports due to a government shutdown. Critics view it as part of a broader pattern that limits skilled immigration, despite industry pleas. Supporters back Trump’s view on protecting US jobs. Yet, evidence shows H-1B boosts innovation and wages.
