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A federal judge on Monday struck down the Trump administration’s $100,000 fee on new H-1B visas, contradicting an earlier federal court ruling that upheld
the fee hike. The administration announced the increased fee as a measure to prevent foreign workers from taking American jobs. U.S. District Court Judge Leo Sorokin in Boston sided with 20 states, ruling that the executive branch exceeded its authority and violated the Administrative Procedure Act, which governs how federal agencies develop and issue regulations.
Judge Sorokin stated, “The Court finds that the Policy imposes a tax on H-1B petitions without the requisite delegation by Congress.” H-1B visas are designated for high-skilled jobs that are difficult to fill with American workers, with a significant portion of approvals going to workers from India. The states contended that the H-1B program was already struggling to fill vacancies for essential positions such as doctors and teachers prior to the fee increase.In a related development, President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday that he will nominate Todd Blanche to serve as attorney general, selecting his former personal lawyer who has actively supported the president’s agenda while leading the Justice Department in an acting capacity. Trump is also preparing to celebrate his 80th birthday this Sunday, with plans for a UFC cage match that he has suggested could become a permanent fixture on the South Lawn.
During a recent NBA Finals game, Trump faced loud boos from the crowd when shown on video screens during the national anthem, marking the first time a sitting president attended an NBA Finals. Despite the jeers, he claimed afterward that the response was mostly cheers and described the atmosphere as enthusiastic. He watched the game from a suite with family and advisors, engaging with various attendees including NBA Commissioner Adam Silver.
The State Department has also announced a new “premium” expedited visa service for foreigners seeking business or tourist visas, which will cost $750 in addition to the initial application fee. This pilot program aims to allow applicants to secure an interview appointment within ten days at select U.S. embassies and consulates, running from July 1 to December 31. This initiative follows the Trump administration's efforts to make U.S. entry more challenging, which included demanding high bonds for visa processing in certain countries.
Republican senators are cautioning the White House about a potential lapse in a critical surveillance authority amid bipartisan backlash over Trump's appointment to temporarily lead the nation’s intelligence community. Senators Tom Cotton and Chuck Grassley expressed concerns in a letter after a procedural vote to extend the program failed, urging Secretary of State Marco Rubio to prepare for a significant gap in foreign intelligence collection if the authority expires.
The senators highlighted that Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, which allows agencies like the CIA and NSA to collect communications from foreign targets without a warrant, is set to lapse soon. Rubio responded that he is disappointed by the Democratic opposition to the legislation but understands the political challenges involved.
