California Attorney General Rob Bonta and and Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbell led a multi-state coalition this week, as they sued the Donald Trump administration over the new $100,000 fee imposed on H-1B visas in a September proclamation.
Oregon AG Dan Rayfield was yet another official to join the legal action against the Republican leader, and Vice President JD Vance immediately took offence with the message he issued on social media.
JD Vance takes a jab at H-1B visa fee lawsuit
Directly quote-posting Oregon AG Dan Rayfield, Vance first just issued a five-word response. “You might try hiring Americans,” the VP wrote on X. Period.
But then he went on to follow up his own reaction with another tweet: “This is instructive, though. While I know there are many people in our coalition who–rightly–are angry about immigration fraud in our visa system, America Last Republicans and Democrats are teaming up to stop our efforts to address these issues.”
He added, “Don’t black pill. Fight back.”
Vance joins countless other US lawmakers, who along with the Trump administration, continue to argue that the H-1B visa program is responsible for “displacing” and “replacing” American workers. However, Rayfield and the his AG counterparts from other American states suing the admin, firmly believe that the visa program brings worthy and highly skilled foreign national workers to the country.
In late October, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who has repeatedly accused the H-1B visa program of being a “scam,” directed its “abuse in Florida institutions” be banned.
In September, the US Department of Labor even introduced its “Project Firewall” initiative to ensure that high-skilled jobs go to American first. Among the countless social media declarations the agency has made, it said this week, “We’re taking HISTORIC action to ensure American Jobs go to AMERICAN WORKERS! Through Project Firewall investigations, we’re holding employers that discriminate against Americans and illegally prioritise foreign labor accountable under the law.”
What is the H-1B visa lawsuit about?
Offices of attorney generals of California, Massachusetts, Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, North Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, and Wisconsin issued their respective press release statements, declaring the new H-1B visa fee an “unlawful” and “costly barrier” in the path of US employers.
This is instructive, though. While I know there are many people in our coalition who–rightly–are angry about immigration fraud in our visa system, America Last Republicans and Democrats are teaming up to stop our efforts to address these issues.
— JD Vance (@JDVance) December 13, 2025
Don't black pill.
Fight back.
They particularly flagged how the situation would hinder operations at nonprofit and government organisations that heavily rely on the ‘specialty occupations’ nonimmigrant visa type to fill their workforce seats.
With each state laying down its own arguments about why the visa fee should be rescinded, Rayfield noted, “Oregon State University currently sponsors more than 150 H-1B faculty researchers and staff and the University of Oregon sponsors more than 50 H-1B faculty, researchers and staff.”
In his press release, his office contended, “Eliminating access to these roles would inflict significant institutional harm, deprive students of critical educational opportunities, and increase financial burden here in Oregon.”
On his part, Rayfield said that the $100,000 fee would make it nearly impossible for institutions to hire experts they need. “This threatens Oregon’s ability to compete, educate and grow,” he added.