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

Published 9 June 2026 · india

‘A $100K Fee Was A Death Sentence’: Internet Cheers As Judge Blocks Trump’s H-1B Plan Written By, Last Updated: June 09, 2026, 13:28 IST A

‘A $100K Fee Was A Death Sentence’: Internet Cheers As Judge Blocks Trump’s H-1B Plan Written By, 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 ‘A $100K Fee Was A Death Sentence’: Internet Cheers As Judge Blocks Trump’s H-1B Plan 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 si 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." United States: A federal judge has ruled that the 1 lakh US Dollar fee for H-1B applications imposed by President Donald Trump was unlawful.US District Judge Leo Sorokin said the policy effectively imposed a tax on H-1B petitions without the required authorisation from… pic.twitter.com/0PFWBfVTbl — All India Radio News (@airnewsalerts) June 9, 2026 Internet Reacts As news of the ruling spread across social media, users quickly weighed in with strong opinions from both sides of the debate.