Vance announces visa fraud investigations into 9 elite universities

Vice President JD Vance announced Oct. 8 that the Trump administration has opened federal investigations into nine universities over allegations that they misused an exchange visitor visa program to hire foreign researchers at lower wages than American workers. 

Vance accused the universities of exploiting the J-1 visa program, which allows foreign students to work and conduct research in the U.S.

He singled out Harvard, Yale, Stanford, Brown, the University of Pittsburgh, the University of California, Davis, the California Institute of Technology, Arizona State University, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. 

“Something weird is going on at these universities,” Vance said at a press conference. “They’re using these visas way too much. They’re using them to undercut the wages of American grad students and American researchers, and it simply has to stop.”

According to Vance, the nine universities used J-1 visa holders for federally funded research at a rate of about 61%, compared with a national average of 38%. He also said American graduate students and researchers earned roughly $20,000 more than workers brought in under J-1 visas. 

Labor Department Inspector General Anthony D’Esposito said during the press conference that the “subpoenas have been served” and “investigations are underway.” He said investigators would examine whether foreign influence, improper financial relationships, or visa abuse were compromising federally funded research. 

“Nobody will be getting a free pass because their name is carved into an expensive building,” D’Esposito said.

The Labor Department is establishing a visa fraud strike team as part of the effort.

D’Esposito also raised concerns that foreign adversaries could exploit access to American research institutions, saying the “Chinese Communist Party doesn’t need to kick down the doors of America’s research laboratories if our own institutions are willing to leave the doors wide open.”

“American taxpayers send billions of dollars to these universities to support research and innovation,” D’Esposito added. “They deserve to know where that money is going and whether it’s being used lawfully.”

Brown confirmed it received a subpoena and told The Hill in a statement that its international scholars, students, and employees contribute to teaching, research, and American innovation. 

Stanford told the outlet it “complies with all applicable visa laws” and “will cooperate with the investigation.” Arizona State also defended its hiring practices, saying it employed the talent needed for its scientific and technical work in compliance with U.S. policy and law.

The investigations add to the Trump administration’s broader disputes with universities over foreign influence, alleged abuse of visa programs, and diversity and inclusion programs.