$100,000 H-1B visa fee cancelled: Indian diaspora hails verdict, Trump says federal judges 'hurting country'

A federal court has canceled the $100,000 fee for certain H-1B visa applications, a decision welcomed by the Indian diaspora in the United States. The fee, which applied to companies with a high proportion of H-1B workers, had been challenged by business groups and immigration advocates.

The ruling marks a significant victory for Indian professionals and tech firms that rely on the H-1B program. Many in the diaspora expressed relief, saying the fee had placed an unfair burden on skilled workers and their employers.

President Donald Trump criticized the decision, stating that federal judges are "hurting the country" by blocking his administration's immigration policies. The administration had defended the fee as a measure to protect American workers.

The court's decision is expected to ease costs for companies hiring foreign talent, particularly in the technology sector. Legal experts say the ruling could set a precedent for future challenges to immigration-related fees.