Chamber of Commerce Sues Over Trump’s $100,000 H-1B Visa Fee

Core Viewpoint - The US Chamber of Commerce has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration over a new $100,000 fee on H-1B visa applications, arguing that it is illegal and undermines federal immigration law [1][8]. Group 1: Lawsuit Details - The lawsuit seeks an injunction to block the implementation of the $100,000 fee, which the Chamber claims will make it prohibitively expensive for U.S. employers, particularly small and midsize businesses, to utilize the H-1B program [2][8]. - The Chamber argues that many of its members rely on H-1B visa holders as valued employees and intend to continue sponsoring future hires through this visa process [4][8]. - The lawsuit was filed in federal court in Washington, D.C., against the US Department of Homeland Security and the State Department [8]. Group 2: Impact on Businesses - The new visa fee is expected to disproportionately affect technology companies, which are the largest users of the H-1B program, with Amazon, Microsoft, and Meta being significant employers of H-1B visa holders [6]. - Amazon has hired 10,044 employees through the H-1B program from 2009 to June 2025, while Microsoft and Meta have employed 5,189 and 5,123 H-1B visa holders, respectively [6]. Group 3: Political Context - The White House has defended the visa changes as legal and a necessary step towards reforming the H-1B program, claiming it prioritizes American workers and discourages misuse of the system [4][7]. - The Chamber of Commerce previously considered legal action against the Trump administration regarding tariffs but ultimately chose not to proceed [7].