Judge Leo Sorokin of Russian origin, from a Jewish family; Big blow to Trump on H-1B visa fees, know 8 big things

By Samira Vishwas On Jun 9, 2026

H1B Visa Fee Cancelled: Donald Trump administration has suffered a major legal setback regarding H-1B visa in America. A federal judge has canceled the additional fee of $ 1 lakh (about Rs 85 lakh) proposed by Trump, calling it unconstitutional. After this decision, a new debate has started regarding American judiciary and immigration policy.

At the center of this decision is American Federal Judge Leo Sorokin, who clearly said that the President does not have the right to impose such a tax without the approval of Congress. Let us know 8 big things related to this case and Judge Leo Sorokin.

1. Boston-based US District Judge Leo Sorokin rejected the additional $100,000 H-1B fees proposed by the Trump administration. The court held that this duty is actually like a tax and the President does not have the constitutional authority to impose it.

2. In the decision, Judge Sorokin said, “The nature and use of this fee clearly show that it is a tax, even if it is called something else.”

3. The Trump administration argued that this is not a fee, but a monetary penalty imposed to limit the entry of foreign citizens. However, the court did not accept this argument and said that its effect is the same as that of tax.

🇺🇸 A federal judge just killed Trump’s $100,000 H-1B visa application feeJudge Sorokin ruled it’s basically a tax, and only Congress can do that, not the White House with a pen stroke.No taxation without representation; courts keep drawing that same line on immigration.… pic.twitter.com/NUqIUFMuEU
— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) June 8, 2026

4. In this case, the Attorney General of 20 Democratic states of America had jointly approached the court. His allegation was that the Presidential Administration cannot impose economic burden without the approval of Congress.

5. H-1B visas are primarily used for technical and highly skilled foreign professionals. In such a situation, this decision of the court is being considered as a relief for American tech companies and foreign employees.

6. 64-year-old Leo Sorokin comes from Connecticut state of America. He belongs to a Jewish family and is of Russian origin. In the American judiciary, he is recognized as a progressive judge who gives priority to constitutional values. He currently serves in the US District Court in Boston, Massachusetts.

7. Leo Sorokin graduated from Yale University in 1983. After this, he obtained a law degree from Columbia Law School in 1991. He worked as an Assistant Attorney General in the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office. From 1997 to 2005, he was a Federal Public Defender and provided legal services in many important cases.

8. In 2005, he was appointed a US Magistrate Judge. Later in 2014, then President Barack Obama nominated him for the post of US District Judge, which was unanimously approved by the US Senate.