A seismic blow to the Trump administration's immigration policies has been dealt by a federal judge, blocking a contentious new rule that would have seen foreign workers seeking US work visas facing a hefty $100,000 fee. The ruling highlights the tensions between the White House and Congress over the use of executive power in policy-making.
The move, announced in July as part of the administration's efforts to increase revenue from the H-1B visa programme, has sparked fierce debate. Over 85,000 temporary skilled workers are admitted to the US each year through this programme, which allows American companies to bring in foreign expertise to fill skills gaps.
The ruling by US District Judge Michael Fitzgerald states that the new fee is an unauthorised tax and therefore invalid until it has been approved by Congress. This decision comes just days after the judge ordered a temporary halt to the policy, pending further review. The White House had argued that the fee would help reduce America's growing deficit, but critics claim it is an unfair burden on foreign workers seeking employment in the US.
The move has sparked concerns among UK-based tech companies that rely on H-1B visas for their workforce. 'This ruling will undoubtedly cause uncertainty for our clients who are considering expansion plans into the US,' said a spokesperson for one major company, which relies heavily on international talent to drive its business forward.