White House backs Trump’s $100,000 H-1B Visa fee, calls System ‘spammed with fraud’
The White House doubled down on President Donald Trump’s $100,000 H-1B visa fee hike on Thursday, defending the move as a step toward fixing what it calls a system “spammed with fraud.”
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt addressed reporters at a White House briefing. She said the administration stands firm on its decision and will fight legal challenges. “The administration will fight these lawsuits in court,” she said. “The president’s top priority is to put American workers first and strengthen our visa system.”
Leavitt said the H-1B visa program has long suffered from manipulation and abuse. “For far too long, the system has been spammed with fraud,” she said. “That has driven down American wages. The president wants to refine this system, and that’s why he implemented these new policies. These actions are lawful and necessary, and we’ll continue to fight this battle in court.”
Her remarks came after the US Chamber of Commerce and several other groups sued the administration over the new rule. The lawsuits, filed in federal courts in California and Washington, D.C., challenge the legality of Trump’s executive order.
The Chamber of Commerce said the fee hike violates the Immigration and Nationality Act, which limits visa fees to the cost of processing applications. The group argued that a $100,000 charge far exceeds that standard.
Neil Bradley, Executive Vice President and Chief Policy Officer at the Chamber, said the new fee would cripple smaller US businesses. “The $100,000 visa fee will make it cost-prohibitive for employers, especially start-ups and small businesses, to use the H-1B program,” he said. “Congress created this program to help companies of all sizes access the global talent they need to grow operations here in the US.”
Bradley added that America’s economy still needs skilled workers to sustain growth. “President Trump has pursued tax reforms, energy expansion, and deregulation,” he said. “The Chamber supports these goals. But to sustain growth, our economy will need more workers, not fewer.”
The H-1B visa program allows US employers to hire foreign professionals in technology, engineering, and other skilled sectors. For decades, it has helped American companies fill talent gaps.
In September, Trump announced the $100,000 fee increase as part of his broader effort to tighten immigration and prioritize American jobs. Under the executive order, companies must pay the new fee on top of existing vetting and filing charges.
The administration argues that the higher cost will deter fraudulent applications and ensure only serious employers participate. Critics say it will instead hurt competitiveness and push jobs abroad.
Despite growing opposition, Trump remains firm. A senior White House official said the president views the reform as critical to protecting domestic labor. “We’re not closing the door on talent,” the official said. “We’re closing the loopholes.”
As the court battles begin, the controversy has reignited debate over America’s immigration and labor policies. While business groups warn of economic harm, the Trump administration insists it is cleaning up a system that has long favored exploitation over fairness.
