US Judge Upholds Trump's $100,000 H-1B Visa Fee Hike

• US District Judge Beryl Howell ruled Trump's $100,000 H-1B visa application fees are lawful, rejecting the US Chamber of Commerce's challenge.
• The ruling is a setback for US tech companies relying on H-1B visas but a boost for the Trump administration's "hire US" policies.
• Judge Howell cited the President's broad statutory authority for the proclamation, which addresses economic and national security concerns.
• The US Chamber of Commerce expressed disappointment and is exploring further legal options.
• Separately, DHS announced new H-1B rules replacing the lottery with a skills-based selection, effective February 27, 2026, impacting Indian IT firms.

Why It Matters: Trump's $100,000 H-1B visa fee is lawful, impacting tech firms and Indian IT, alongside new skills-based selection rules.