US appeals court fast tracks $100,000 H-1B visa fee dispute
Source: Reuters
January 5, 2026 7:21 PM EST Updated 10 mins ago
Jan 5 (Reuters) - A U.S. appeals court on Monday agreed to expedite an appeal of a court loss by U.S. business and research groups that are challenging President Donald Trump's $100,000 fee on new H-1B visas for highly skilled foreign workers.
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the nation's largest business lobbying group, had argued that a speedy review was needed in order to preserve employers' rights ahead of the once-annual H-1B visa lottery scheduled to begin in March. The Trump administration did not oppose the quicker timeline, and the court agreed to a plan that will allow oral arguments to proceed in February. The Chamber of Commerce and White House did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
The annual process is the only opportunity for most U.S. employers that wish to hire skilled workers through the H-1B program to apply for the visas, according to the Chamber’s court filings.
"Those employers' ability to participate in the H-1B program this year therefore hinges on the outcome of this appeal; without relief by March, it will be too late,” the Chamber said in court papers filed on Friday. The Chamber is appealing a December 24 decision by a U.S. district judge, who concluded that the new fee fell within the president's broad powers to regulate immigration.
Read more: https://www.reuters.com/legal/government/us-appeals-court-fast-tracks-100000-h-1b-visa-fee-dispute-2026-01-06/
$$$$ makes the courts move quick.
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