In a significant ruling, a US federal court has invalidated President Donald Trump's proposed $100,000 fee on new H-1B visas, determining it to be an unauthorized tax that lacked congressional consent. US District Judge Leo Sorokin in Boston sided with a lawsuit from 20 Democratic state attorneys general, who argued that the fee was intended to restrict foreign worker entry under federal immigration law. The Trump administration had claimed the fee was a lawful penalty aimed at curbing the misuse of the H-1B program, which is crucial for US tech companies seeking skilled foreign labor. However, the court found the fee exceeded presidential authority. This decision is a setback for the administration's immigration policy and is expected to alleviate concerns for businesses reliant on foreign talent, especially as H-1B applications had already seen a 38.5% decline. The ruling is particularly relevant for Indian professionals, who constitute a large portion of H-1B visa holders, and reflects ongoing tensions regarding US immigration reform.