US court declares Trump's $100,000 visa fee illegal

A US federal judge has struck down President Donald Trump's $100,000 fee on H-1B visas for highly skilled foreign workers. Boston District Judge Leo Sorokin ruled on Monday that the fee is an "illegal tax" that Congress never authorised.

The ruling came in a lawsuit filed by attorneys general from 20 Democratic-leaning states. The Trump administration had argued the fee was a "legal financial penalty," but Judge Sorokin rejected that reasoning, stating the president has no authority to impose such a tax without congressional approval.

The Trump administration had set the fee in September last year. Employers typically paid between $2,000 and $5,000 before the fee hike. Only 85 payments were submitted by February 15 after the steep fee was imposed.

White House spokesperson Taylor Rogers said the administration will appeal to a higher court.