A federal court in Boston ruled on June 8, 2026, that the Trump administration’s $100,000 H-1B charge functioned as an unauthorized tax.
Immigration counsel said the ruling preserves prior filing-cost structures for technology and healthcare sponsors if affirmed.
Twenty Democratic state attorneys general brought the consolidated challenge heard in the District of Massachusetts.
Employers had warned the fee would divert billions from payroll and training budgets for skilled foreign hires.
Judge Leo Sorokin in the District of Massachusetts issued the June 8, 2026, order striking the $100,000 H-1B charge after a challenge by 20 Democratic state attorneys general.
Litigants argued Congress never authorized the levy as a tax, and employers said the fee threatened Silicon Valley talent pipelines if enforced.
Immigration practitioners told reporters on June 9, 2026, that filings could proceed under prior fee schedules unless an appellate stay is granted.
Created by Ayen Stabel.
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Sources:
https://www.thehindu.com/news/the-hindu-morning-digest-june-9-2026/article71078439.ece