Unlawful move: US business body sues govt’s H1-B fee hike, Pg22.

Key Highlights:

• The US Chamber of Commerce has legally challenged the $100,000 fee for H-1B visa petitions, terming it unlawful.
• President Trump signed an order on September 19 to raise the H-1B visa fee to $100,000 annually.
• The administration clarified that the new fee is a one-time payment applicable to new petitions only.
• Current H-1B visa fee ranges from $2000-$3000, valid for three years and renewable for another three years.

Detailed Insights:

• The lawsuit argues that the new fee overrides provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Act, which requires fees to be based on government costs.
• The US Chamber of Commerce believes the increased fee will make it cost-prohibitive for US employers to hire foreign professionals.
• The H-1B visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows US employers to temporarily employ foreign workers in specialty occupations.
• The Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) is a US federal law that governs immigration to and citizenship in the United States.
• The H-1B visa program has been a subject of debate in the US, with concerns raised about its impact on American workers and wages.

Key Concepts Involved:

• H-1B Visa: A non-immigrant visa allowing US employers to employ foreign workers in specialized occupations.
• Immigration and Nationality Act: US federal law governing immigration, citizenship, and naturalization.
• US Chamber of Commerce: A business-oriented lobbying group representing the interests of businesses in the US.