Nine Universities Face Federal J-1 Visa Investigation
The U.S. Department of Labor is investigating nine major universities, including Harvard, Yale, and MIT, for alleged misuse of J-1 visas to hire foreign researchers. Vice President JD Vance announced the probe, claiming the schools use the visas as cheaper labor.
The Department of Labor has issued subpoenas to nine major universities following allegations of J-1 visa abuse in federally funded research. Vice President JD Vance announced the investigation on Thursday, accusing Harvard, Yale, Stanford, Brown, California Institute of Technology, Arizona State University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the University of Pittsburgh, and UC Davis of potential misconduct. The labor department’s inspector general, Anthony D’Esposito, confirmed subpoenas have been served and described the inquiry as a historic investigation.
Anthony D’Esposito said his office will investigate whether foreign influence, improper financial relationships, or visa abuse are compromising federally funded research. The probe is part of a broader Trump administration effort to restrict legal immigration pathways into academia and the workforce.
University Responses
Multiple universities confirmed receipt of subpoenas and affirmed compliance with visa laws while reviewing the requests.
Kimberly Allen, an MIT spokesperson, confirmed the institute received a very broad subpoena on Thursday morning and is reviewing it. Allen stated that each J-1 visa holder at MIT has been vetted and authorized by the U.S. government and that MIT takes its legal obligations seriously. A Stanford spokesperson, Angie Davis, said the university complies with all applicable visa laws, including those relating to J-1 visas, and will cooperate with the investigation.
Yale and UC Davis issued statements affirming their legal compliance. Ozan Say, senior director of Yale’s Office of International Students and Scholars, said Yale will review the documents and is committed to full compliance with federal visa rules. Harvard spokesperson Jason A. Newton confirmed the university had received the subpoena and was reviewing it. A Brown spokesperson said the university will respond promptly and directly to the government.
An Arizona State spokesperson said the university employs one of the largest technical and scientific workforces in the U.S. and hires talent in compliance with U.S. policy and law.
Administration Claims
Vice President Vance asserted the universities are using J-1 visas to hire foreign researchers at disproportionate rates to undercut domestic wages.
Vance claimed that American workers in graduate student or researcher roles make about $20,000 more than J-1 visa holders. He alleged the nine universities were employing J-1 visa holders on federally funded research projects at a rate of roughly 61 percent, compared to a national average of 38 percent. Vance did not explain how the 61 percent figure was calculated.
He stated that higher education institutions are using foreign researchers as a source of cheaper labor. Vance said: "This is where some of America’s most elite universities bring in foreigners again to undercut the wages of American residents." The new investigation is part of a broader crackdown on student and employment-based immigration programs. Vance also announced that tech giants like Microsoft will be suspended from a federal labor certification process used to sponsor foreign employees for permanent residence.
Context and Uncertainty
The investigation occurs amid broader immigration restrictions, though evidence supporting the allegations remains unspecified and legal challenges have paused similar measures.
Recent administration actions targeting academic immigration include:
| Action | Status |
|---|---|
| A proposed $100,000 fee for each new H-1B visa | Struck down in court in June |
| A four-year cap on F-1 and J-1 student visas instead of duration of studies | Paused by a federal court in September; DHS has appealed |
| Guidance limiting training programs like internships for foreign students | Issued in August |
| Proposed regulations adding up to $100,000 in new fees for Optional Practical Training program | Announced this week |
| A proposed $70,000 fee for a popular work authorization program used by international students | Announced Wednesday |
D’Esposito’s office did not immediately respond to questions about the investigation’s scope or expected timeline. It is unclear how much evidence the administration has to support its visa fraud concerns. These proposed restrictions have yet to take effect and have in some cases been temporarily blocked by lawsuits.
Elizabeth Goss, an immigration attorney in Boston, warned that these efforts send a clear signal to international scientists that their contributions are no longer valued. National Science Foundation data show that nearly 60% of postdocs in science, engineering, and health are temporary visa holders; most of these researchers would be on J-1 visas.
This J-1 visa probe follows separate federal scrutiny of Harvard. In July 2025, the State Department launched an investigation into Harvard’s participation in the J-1 visa program, questioning whether its programming ran contrary to U.S. interests. Earlier that month, the Department of Homeland Security subpoenaed Harvard for records related to oversight of international students. Harvard currently sponsors visas for more than 10,000 international students and scholars.
The universities are reviewing the subpoenas and preparing to respond to the Department of Labor’s inquiry.
