20 states sue over $100,000 H-1B fee
Attorneys general from 20 states led by California and Massachusetts filed suit Friday in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts to block the Trump administration’s $100,000 H‑1B visa fee, which took effect Sept. 21 under a presidential proclamation. The states argue the fee is unlawful and harms education, health care and other services, while the administration says it targets program abuse that depresses U.S. wages.
📌 Key Facts
- Coalition: CA, MA, NY plus AZ, CO, CT, DE, HI, IL, MD, MI, MN, NV, NC, NJ, OR, RI, VT, WA, WI (20 states total)
- Fee: $100,000 per H‑1B petition effective Sept. 21, 2025 via presidential proclamation
- Filed: Dec. 13, 2025 in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts; AG Rob Bonta quoted criticizing the fee
📊 Relevant Data
In fiscal year 2024, 71 percent of approved H-1B petitions were for beneficiaries whose country of birth was India.
Characteristics of H-1B Specialty Occupation Workers — USCIS
In the U.S. tech industry, Asian professionals hold 34% of tech jobs, compared to their 6% share of the overall U.S. population.
Diversity In Tech Statistics By Demographics And Facts (2025) — ElectroIQ
In the U.S. tech industry, Black workers make up 13% of support roles but only 6% of web developer jobs, compared to their 13% share of the overall U.S. population.
Diversity In Tech Statistics By Demographics And Facts (2025) — ElectroIQ
About 13% to 16% of White students versus 3% to 4% of Black or Hispanic students displayed advanced science or mathematics achievement during kindergarten.
Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Advanced Science and Mathematics Achievement Across the Elementary Years — Gifted Child Quarterly
80 percent of H-1B workers fall into wage Levels 1 and 2, earning 40 percent and 20 percent less than American workers in similar roles.
The Rise and Fall of the H-1B Visa — American Affairs Journal
H-1B visa holders are paid the same or higher salaries than U.S. workers with comparable levels of education and experience.
Trump Immigration Rule Could Make H-1B Visa Holders Too Costly to Hire — Forbes