‘A $100K Fee Was A Death Sentence’: Internet Cheers As Judge Blocks Trump’s H-1B Plan

Last Updated:June 09, 2026, 13:28 IST

A federal judge has struck down the Trump administration's controversial $100,000 H-1B visa fee, prompting a furious reaction from the US President and strong responses online

US President Donald Trump has lashed out at the federal judiciary after a Massachusetts district judge struck down his administration’s controversial $100,000 fee on new H-1B visas.

The ruling, which immediately drew attention from immigration advocates and the Indian diaspora, dealt a significant blow to a policy that many believed would make legal employment-based immigration prohibitively expensive.

Reacting to the decision, Trump expressed frustration over the number of his policies that have faced legal challenges in court. “These federal judges are really giving us a hard time," Trump said. “It’s really crazy what’s going on with the court system… They’re hurting our country very badly."

Judge Calls Policy Unlawful

The criticism from the White House came after US District Judge Leo Sorokin in Boston sided with a coalition of 20 Democratic state attorneys general and struck down the six-figure visa fee.

The court vacated the policy in its entirety, ruling that the executive branch had exceeded its authority.

For the Indian community in the United States, the decision is being viewed as a major victory. Indians have historically been the largest beneficiaries of the H-1B programme, accounting for nearly 75 percent of approved petitions.

Many advocacy groups had argued that the proposed $100,000 fee would make it nearly impossible for skilled foreign professionals and their employers to use the visa route, potentially affecting families, businesses and the broader technology sector.

Industry Leaders Welcome The Verdict

Reacting to the ruling, Khanderao Kand, FIIDS chief of Policy and Strategy, said to ANI: “We welcome the Massachusetts federal court’s decision striking down the $100,000 H-1B visa fee, which restores predictability and fairness to the employment-based immigration system. This ruling is appropriate for preserving America’s competitive advantage in innovation, research, and entrepreneurship. Access to highly skilled global talent remains essential for the continued growth of the U.S. technology, healthcare, and advanced manufacturing sectors. The judgment reinforces the principle that major policy changes must be grounded in statutory authority and economic realities. FIIDS believes a balanced, merit-based immigration framework strengthens both American businesses and the broader economy."

Internet Reacts

As news of the ruling spread across social media, users quickly weighed in with strong opinions from both sides of the debate. One user wrote: “Everything he does, good and bad (this one good), is struck down by a federal judge. Then others review it . . ."

Another commented: “A $100k fee was essentially a death sentence for foreign tech talent." But not everyone agreed.

One user wrote: “indians should work in india and not usa or other western nations as indians r experts in scamming abusing opportunities they get like H1B visa is the greatest blunder of American foreign worker policy costing Americans their jobs to foreigners like Indians"

Another user warned: “which means more Racism will follow-up now better everyone careful and stay in a group"

Some responses were more sarcastic. “Trump’s wallet just got a visa denial," one user joked while another wrote: “Turns out “protecting workers" doesn’t mean inventing a $100K visa tax by proclamation. Big win for rule of law, startups, universities, and every employer trying to hire talent legally."

Many users on X praised the judiciary’s intervention. “Yes, Well Verdict ✔️👌The dictator attitude should be rectified by the Judiciary only in a democracy based Governments.. The Honourable Federal Judge of United States’ Court safeguarded the Constitution and democracy. This would be a lesson to an egoistic president 🙏."

With the court’s decision now in place, the debate over immigration, skilled foreign workers and executive authority is likely to continue, but for thousands of H-1B applicants and employers, the ruling has brought immediate relief.

About the Author

Mallika BhagatDeputy News Editor

Mallika Bhagat is a Deputy News Editor at News18, where she leads the Lifestyle and Viral desks. A seasoned journalist and content strategist, she brings a decade of high-impact experience from India’...Read More

News viral ‘A $100K Fee Was A Death Sentence’: Internet Cheers As Judge Blocks Trump’s H-1B Plan

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