Valued Voice

On June 8, the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts vacated the $100,000 fee for new H-1B visas that had been established by President Trump's September 19, 2025 proclamation, Restriction on Entry of Certain Nonimmigrant Workers.

U.S. District Judge Leo Sorokin agreed with the plaintiffs in 20 states, including Wisconsin, in his decision that the proclamation had exceeded the fee-setting authority delegated by Congress. Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul praised the decision in a statement, saying "This ruling stops an unlawful policy that shouldn’t have been adopted. The federal government should be working to address workforce shortages in health care and education, not making them more severe.” 

The Wisconsin Hospital Association (WHA) sent a letter to the Trump Administration in October 2025 expressing concerns about this policy and requesting a carve-out for health care workers given the persistent workforce shortages hospitals are facing. More recently, WHA was on Capitol Hill urging lawmakers to support H.R. 7961, legislation that would exempt health care workers from these fees.

As far as next steps, a White House spokesperson has indicated that the Department of Homeland Security will appeal the District Court decision. WHA is continuing to advocate with Wisconsin’s Congressional Delegation to seek a carve-out for health care, in the event the decision is reversed upon appeal.

Please contact WHA Vice President of Federal Affairs and Advocacy Jon Hoelter with questions.