H-1B pushback: US Chamber sues govt, says fee violates immigration law

US Chamber of Commerce took legal action against the government’s decision to impose a $100,000 fee on H-1B visa petitions on Thursday, saying the move violates existing immigration law.

In its complaint, the Chamber argued that the new fee goes beyond the limits set by the Immigration and Nationality Act, which requires visa charges to reflect only the government’s administrative costs. Neil Bradley, the Chamber’s executive vice president and chief policy officer, said the steep fee would make it nearly impossible for many US employers, especially start-ups and small businesses to hire skilled foreign workers.