A judge in Boston ruled the charge unlawful, invalidating a fee that sharply raised the cost of hiring skilled foreign workers, a cost felt hardest by the tech industry.

A court blocked Trump’s H‑1B fee hike, reopening access to foreign talent. But for many U.S. employers, the bigger hiring crisis is just beginning.

Trump had imposed the $100,000 fee in order to restrict the program, arguing that it has undermined U.S. security through the "replacement of American workers." ...

The judge issued the ruling in a lawsuit filed by 20 Democratic state ​attorneys general challenging the steeply increased fee.