New Jersey has joined 19 other states, including New York and California, in suing the Trump administration over what they are calling an illegally imposed $100,000 fee for H-1B visas, according to Reuters. The lawsuit, filed in federal court in Boston, claims the president lacks the power to impose the fee and that it would burden U.S. employers, universities and healthcare providers.
The H-1B program allows U.S. companies to hire skilled foreign workers in tech, finance and healthcare. It’s often seen as a lifeline for these industries.
“The Trump Administration’s illegal imposition of an exorbitant $100,000 fee on those seeking H-1B visas would cause significant pain for New Jerseyans, hurting our best-in-the-nation education system, reducing access to critical health care and setting back cutting-edge medical and scientific research,” said New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin in a statement.
In the New York-Newark-Jersey City metro, H-1B workers earn a median salary of nearly $129,000, according to recent data. Last week, our report highlighted the region’s top-paying roles and how the new fee could throw a wrench into hiring strategies.
Critics say the $100,000 visa fee dwarfs actual visa processing costs and violates federal law. States argue it could worsen labor shortages, hurt essential services and discourage international talent. The White House counters that the fee is legal and deters visa misuse—though the claims are unsubstantiated.
This legal challenge is the latest in multiple lawsuits against the Trump administation from business groups, universities, unions and religious organizations. For New Jersey employers—especially in tech and finance—the fee could force a change to hiring practices, visa renewals and recruitment overall.
The New Jersey Digest is a new jersey magazine that has chronicled daily life in the Garden State for over 10 years.