Obama-Appointed Judge BACKS Trump’s Immigration Power Move

An Obama-appointed federal judge just delivered President Trump a stunning victory by upholding his unprecedented $100,000 fee on new H-1B visa petitions, dealing a massive blow to the foreign worker pipeline that has displaced American workers for decades.

Story Highlights

Judge Beryl Howell upholds Trump’s $100,000 H-1B fee despite challenges from Chamber of Commerce and 19 state attorneys general
Fee represents historic 100-fold increase from previous costs, fundamentally reshaping foreign worker economics
Obama appointee’s ruling validates broad presidential authority over immigration tied to economic security
Decision protects American workers from wage suppression while forcing companies to prioritize domestic hiring

Obama Judge Validates Trump’s America First Immigration Policy

Judge Beryl Howell of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia rejected arguments from business lobbies and Democratic state attorneys general who claimed Trump exceeded his authority. The ruling confirms Congress granted presidents broad statutory power to address economic and national security threats through proclamations. This decision demolishes the liberal narrative that Obama-appointed judges automatically oppose conservative immigration reforms, proving the policy’s legal foundation transcends partisan politics.

Massive Fee Increase Protects American Workers From Displacement

Trump’s September proclamation skyrocketed H-1B fees from roughly $215 lottery registration costs to $100,000 per new petition, applying to all applications filed after September 21, including the 2026 lottery. This represents the most significant reform to the foreign worker pipeline in decades, directly targeting companies like Amazon, Microsoft, Meta, and consulting firms that have used cheap foreign labor to undercut American wages. The fee exempts existing H-1B holders and renewals, focusing solely on preventing new displacement of domestic workers.

Business Lobby Suffers Major Defeat Despite Legal Challenge

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce led a coalition including 19 state attorneys general and nursing agencies in challenging the fee, arguing it violated federal immigration law and exceeded presidential fee-setting authority. Their defeat exposes how business interests prioritize cheap foreign labor over American workers’ economic security. The ruling allows Trump’s administration to proceed with the fee while plaintiffs consider appeals, though the Chamber offered no immediate comment following their courtroom loss.

Historic Victory Reshapes Foreign Worker Economics

The $100,000 fee fundamentally transforms H-1B economics, forcing companies to justify foreign hiring only for truly high-value positions rather than using the program for wage arbitrage. Computer-related occupations account for 65% of H-1B approvals, meaning tech giants can no longer exploit the system to import cheaper alternatives to American STEM professionals. This policy achievement validates Trump’s “Buy American, Hire American” agenda and establishes powerful precedent for presidential authority over legal immigration flows that threaten domestic workers.

Obama Judge Hands Trump Victory In Battle Against H-1B Pipeline https://t.co/6BnU0Yqme5

— IJR (@TheIJR) December 24, 2025

The ruling strengthens Trump’s broader immigration reform efforts, including planned wage floor increases and lottery system changes prioritizing higher-paid positions. This represents exactly the type of commonsense policy Americans voted for—protecting our workers from unfair foreign competition while ensuring legitimate high-skill needs can still be met at appropriate market rates.