Another Day, Another Left-Wing Activist Judge Rules Against Trump’s Immigration Authority
A federal judge has blocked a $100,000 employer fee for H-1B visas that President Trump ordered as part of his September 2025 immigration restrictions.
United States District Judge Leo Sorokin, appointed by former President Barack Obama, ruled the policy violated the Constitution and the Administrative Procedures Act. Twenty states filed the lawsuit against the Department of Homeland Security challenging the fee structure.
What Happened
Trump’s executive order tightened H-1B visa requirements with the $100,000 annual fee per employer, aimed at reducing reliance on the program for foreign workers. The administration argued the program has been abused to suppress wages in high-skilled positions, particularly in science, technology, engineering, and math fields.
“Accordingly, the Court VACATES the Policy materials implementing the Proclamation’s $100,000 payment requirement,” Sorokin wrote in the ruling. The judge agreed with states challenging the policy that it disadvantaged American citizens seeking skilled positions.
The Defense
White House spokeswoman Taylor Rogers defended the executive order, stating “President Trump has clear legal authority to restrict entry of any class of aliens he determines is not in America’s best interests.” Rogers added that a federal judge in Washington had already upheld a nearly identical order and the administration was confident in appealing the decision.
The Department of Homeland Security issued its own statement calling the ruling “blatant judicial activism.” A DHS spokesperson said the recent changes were intended to address program integrity concerns and ensure employers prioritize hiring U.S. workers in high-skilled sectors.
The Opposition
Washington Attorney General Nick Brown, whose state was among those challenging the fee, said the policy amounted to “an extortion racket.” He argued the H-1B program helps Washington state retain talented workers in specialized education and research fields, stating the federal government cannot arbitrarily penalize employers and institutions.
This story has been updated. CNN’s Digital team contributed to this report.