A federal appeals court in Boston denies a request by the Trump administration to halt a lower-court ruling blocking a proposed $100,000 fee on new H-1B visas for highly skilled foreign workers. The decision leaves in place a June ruling that finds the fee unlawful because Congress did not authorize it. The lawsuit was brought by 20 Democratic state attorneys general, who argue the administration effectively created a new tax without congressional approval. A district judge agreed, concluding the fee exceeds the authority of the executive branch. In the appeal, the government sought to revive or implement the fee while its legal challenge proceeds. The three-judge panel declined to suspend the lower court’s order, stating the government did not demonstrate a likelihood of prevailing on the merits. The case continues as the government challenges the ruling, while the injunction remains in effect preventing the fee from being imposed.