Immigration Law and Legal Insights

A federal court's decision to vacate the controversial $100,000 H-1B visa fee has been administratively stayed, reinstating the fee while the Trump Administration pursues emergency relief through the appellate process.

Pabian Law's June 2026 H-2B Quarterly Update examines critical developments affecting seasonal employers, including a proposed Certified Seasonal Employer exemption in the Homeland Security funding bill, new DOL joint employer regulations that increase liability for contract labor users, and emerging compliance risks from AI usage that may waive attorney-client privilege.

A federal judge in Massachusetts has struck down the Trump Administration's $100,000 H-1B visa filing fee, ruling that the Executive Branch exceeded its authority in imposing what effectively amounted to a tax on H-1B petitions. The decision, which invalidates the fee nationwide, removes a significant financial barrier for employers seeking to sponsor highly skilled foreign workers, though appeals are expected.