India, Dec. 25 -- A federal judge on Tuesday upheld the Donald Trump administration's move of a $100,000 fee on new H-1B visa applications, providing a setback for US technology companies that rely on hiring skilled foreign workers.

In the summary ruling, US District Judge Beryl Howell said that President Donald Trump's effort to radically increase the cost of the popular visa is lawful, Bloomberg reported.

The decision gives a boost to the Trump administration's campaign to restrict immigration and push demand for US workers. The US Chamber of Commerce, which had sued to block the proposal, can appeal.

Howell rejected the Chamber's argument that Trump doesn't have the power to impose the fee, finding that his proclamation was issued u...