A federal judge ruled that the Trump administration may proceed with a presidential proclamation imposing a $100,000 fee on new H‑1B visa applications, a decision that could raise hiring costs for universities, research hospitals and tech employers that rely on skilled foreign workers. The ruling upheld the administration’s fee authority under an express statutory grant cited by the court. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce and several states have filed appeals and parallel lawsuits remain pending in other jurisdictions, including challenges focused on public‑sector impacts in health care and higher education. Universities that recruit international faculty and postdocs warned the fee could constrain campus research staffing and teaching pipelines. HR and international‑scholar offices should prepare for higher sponsorship costs, revised hiring timelines and intensified legal engagement while appeals progress. Institutions that rely on H‑1B talent for specialized labs or clinical services may need contingency staffing plans and to evaluate alternative visa routes.