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].

The White House’s new $100,000 fee on H-1B visa applications could reduce work authorizations for immigrants by as many as 5,500 a month, according to an analysis by JPMorgan Chase & Co. economists.Though the number of affected workers is “fairly small” in the context of the overall US labor market, Abiel Reinhart and Michael Feroli wrote in a note, technology companies and immigrants from India stand to face a greater impact. Also readComputer-related occupations accounted for nearly two-thirds of H-1B app ...

Core Points - Large tech companies are advising their H-1B visa employees to remain in the U.S. and avoid foreign travel following President Trump's new proclamation [1][2] - The new proclamation requires employers to pay a $100,000 fee for H-1B visa applications, affecting new applicants but not existing holders or renewals [2][4] - Amazon has issued the most H-1B visas this fiscal year, followed by Tata Consultancy Services, Microsoft, Meta, Apple, and Google [3] Company Responses - Amazon, Google, and Microsoft have communicated to their H-1B visa employees to stay in the U.S. and return before the proclamation takes effect [2][3] - Memos from Amazon and Microsoft have been published, while Google has also issued a similar memo [3] Government Clarifications - A White House official clarified that the new fee applies only to new applicants and does not affect current H-1B holders or their ability to travel [4] - White House Press Secretary stated that existing H-1B visa holders can leave and re-enter the U.S. as they normally would, unaffected by the new proclamation [4]