San Francisco, CA – October 17, 2025 – In a landmark move, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce has filed suit against the Trump administration, challenging the legality of a newly imposed $100,000 annual fee on new H-1B visa applications. The Chamber argues the fee disrupts established immigration law and places untenable burdens on American businesses.
Key Assertions & Demands by Chamber of Commerce
- The complaint claims the fee exceeds presidential authority and conflicts with the Immigration and Nationality Act’s requirements that visa fees align with actual government processing costs.
- The Chamber warns the fee will undermine competitiveness for U.S. companies—especially smaller firms—forcing them to reduce hiring of skilled foreign talent or inflate labor costs.
- The lawsuit requests a court order to block enforcement of the fee, contending it is “plainly unlawful.”
Context & Wider Impact
- Prior to the change, most H-1B applications cost under $3,600 in total fees. The sudden spike to $100,000 marks an unprecedented policy shift.
- The H-1B program is central to U.S. hiring in tech, science, healthcare, and education, enabling employers to recruit specialized foreign talent when domestic pipelines fall short.
- The Chamber’s filing comes amid a flurry of legal challenges to the fee, including suits by healthcare providers, labor groups, and industry associations.
Statement from the Chamber of Commerce
In its official statement, Neil Bradley, Executive Vice President & Chief Policy Officer, emphasized:
“This fee will make it cost-prohibitive for U.S. employers—especially startups and small to midsize businesses—to use the H-1B program… Our economy will require more workers, not fewer.”
What This Means for Ixoraly & Stakeholders
This case significantly heightens the stakes for companies dependent on global technology talent. The outcome could reshape U.S. immigration policy, influence hiring strategies worldwide, and recalibrate the balance between domestic workforce protection and international talent inflows.
Ixoraly will continue monitoring legal developments and policy responses, with timely analysis for investors, tech firms, and international stakeholders.
