U.S. Chamber Sues Trump Administration to Block $100,000 H-1B Fee That Could Hurt U.S. Businesses

Published: 2025-10-17 | Updated: 2025-10-17 | By COINOTAG

• U.S. Chamber sues to stop the $100,000 H-1B visa fee

• The Chamber says the fee is “plainly unlawful” and would make sponsorship cost-prohibitive for many employers.

• Annual H-1B demand: ~425,000 applications for roughly 85,000 new visas; fee hikes could sharply reduce hires in tech and crypto firms.

$100,000 H-1B visa fee: U.S. Chamber sues to block the rule, arguing it will choke off skilled hiring. Read the legal and industry implications from COINOTAG.

How does the $100,000 H-1B visa fee affect U.S. businesses?

The $100,000 H-1B visa fee would represent roughly a twentyfold increase from typical pre-rule costs (generally under $5,000), potentially making it economically unfeasible for many employers to sponsor foreign professionals. This change could reduce access to specialized talent across technology, manufacturing, health care and crypto startups, according to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and federal filings.

Will the fee specifically impact technology and crypto hiring?

Yes. The U.S. Chamber highlighted that industries dependent on specialized foreign workers—including technology and crypto companies—could be forced to curb hiring, scale back projects, or relocate roles overseas. Official filings in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia note each year the government issues about 85,000 new H-1B visas from roughly 425,000 applications, making competitive access to those slots critical for innovation-dependent firms.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can startups and small businesses afford the $100,000 H-1B visa fee?

Many startups and small- to mid-sized businesses would likely find the fee prohibitive. The U.S. Chamber argues the spike would deter sponsorships, particularly for companies that previously paid under $5,000 per petition, limiting early‑stage firms’ ability to recruit specialized engineers and product talent.

Why did the White House introduce the $100,000 H-1B fee?

The administration framed the fee as a reform to prioritize higher-skilled hires and curb perceived misuse of the program. A White House spokeswoman called the rule “lawful” and “a necessary, initial, incremental step toward reforms,” while Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said the increase aims to steer companies toward hiring top-tier engineers and executives.

Key Takeaways

• Legal challenge: The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has filed suit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia seeking to block the rule as unlawful and an abuse of executive power.
• Economic impact: The fee increase—from typically under $5,000 to $100,000—could disproportionately harm startups, SMEs, and innovation sectors including crypto and tech.
• Next steps for employers: Companies should review sponsorship strategies, consult legal counsel, and monitor court developments while considering talent contingency plans.

Conclusion

The lawsuit by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce challenges the implementation of the $100,000 H-1B visa fee on statutory and policy grounds, warning of substantial effects on U.S. competitiveness and access to specialized workers in technology and crypto sectors. With roughly 85,000 new visas issued annually against about 425,000 applications, the dispute places immediate uncertainty on employer hiring plans. Monitor court disposition and official guidance; COINOTAG will report updates as the case and any administrative clarifications unfold.

Sources cited (plain text): U.S. Chamber of Commerce court filings; U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia filings; statements from Neil Bradley, Executive Vice President, U.S. Chamber of Commerce; White House spokesperson Taylor Rogers; Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick; official H-1B statistics reported by U.S. government agencies.