Washington : The US Chamber of Commerce has filed a lawsuit against the federal government, accusing it of violating immigration and administrative laws by imposing steep new fees on companies sponsoring foreign workers under the H-1B visa program.

The complaint, filed in federal court, challenges a recent rule by the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) that significantly increases filing fees for employment-based visas. The Chamber argues that the new charges unfairly burden businesses relying on high-skilled talent and go beyond the agency’s legal authority.

The USCIS had announced the fee hike earlier this year as part of efforts to modernize its operations and reduce backlogs. However, the Chamber contends that such costs will hurt American competitiveness, especially in industries relying on global expertise such as technology, engineering, and healthcare.

The lawsuit reflects growing frustration among US employers who say the policy change could deter firms from hiring foreign professionals or expanding operations in the United States. Immigration reform advocates have also claimed that the revised fee structure could make it harder for small and mid-sized firms to access critical talent.

The government has yet to respond publicly to the lawsuit, but officials earlier defended the measure as necessary to streamline processing and improve service efficiency. The case underscores an ongoing tension between business interests and immigration policy priorities in President Donald Trump’s administration.