Vice President JD Vance announced Thursday that nine universities are under investigation for allegedly abusing the J-1 visa program, with the Labor Department issuing subpoenas to the institutions.
The universities named are Arizona State, Brown, Harvard, Yale, Stanford, the California Institute of Technology, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the University of California, Davis, and the University of Pittsburgh.
Speaking at a press conference on visa fraud, Vance, who chairs the administration’s fraud task force, accused the universities of using the program to “bring in foreigners to undercut the wages of American residents.”
The Allegations
Vance said the universities are employing J-1 visas for federally funded grants at a rate of about 61 percent, compared to a national average of 38 percent. “So something weird is going on at these universities,” he said.
“They’re using these visas way too much. They’re using them to undercut the wages of American grad students and American researchers.”
He claimed American graduate students or researchers earn $20,000 more than someone on a J-1 visa.
The J-1 visa program allows noncitizens to temporarily teach, lecture, conduct research, or receive graduate medical education in the United States.
The Investigation
The Labor Department is leading the investigation. The department’s inspector general, Anthony D’Esposito, pledged to “follow the money and uncover the schemes.”
At the press conference, D’Esposito characterized the inquiry as a “historic investigation into J-1 visa fraud.” He said American taxpayers deserve to know where federal money for research and innovation is going. He added that the investigation will explore “whether foreign influence, improper financial relationships, or visa abuse are compromising federally funded research,” pointing to concerns about China.
“I don’t care how prestigious a university thinks it is,” D’Esposito said. “Break the law and screw the American people, and I will personally cuff you in the university square.”
The Universities Respond
Several universities told Inside Higher Ed that they comply with all applicable laws and defended international scholars.
“Brown’s international scholars, students and employees make essential contributions on our campus, including to teaching and research that advances American innovation, competitiveness and economic vitality,” a Brown spokesperson said. “We have received a subpoena from the government… and we will respond promptly and directly.”
An Arizona State spokesperson said the university educates more STEM majors than any other university and employs one of the largest technical and scientific workforces in the country, “in complete compliance with existing United States policy and law.”
MIT’s Kimberly Allen said the university is reviewing the “very broad” subpoena, adding that the US government vets each J-1 visa holder. “America’s ability to attract top talent from around the world while protecting U.S. economic and security interests is a national strength, and that competitive advantage should be supported,” she said.
The Bottom Line
The Labor Department has subpoenaed nine universities — including Stanford, Harvard, MIT, and Yale — over alleged J-1 visa fraud. Vice President JD Vance claims the universities are using the program to undercut American wages, citing a 61 percent usage rate for federally funded grants compared to a 38 percent national average. The universities deny wrongdoing and defend their international scholars. The investigation is part of a broader Trump administration crackdown on visa programs.
My Opinion
Let us be clear about what the Trump administration is doing here. It is not investigating fraud. It is intimidating universities for hiring the people who make American science work.
The J-1 visa program is not a loophole. It is one of the most important tools America has for attracting global talent. It brought researchers who helped map the human genome, develop mRNA vaccines, and build the foundations of the AI boom. The idea that Stanford, MIT, and Caltech are using it to “undercut American wages” is backwards. These universities are competing with the entire world for the best minds, and they are winning.
The investigation is based on one statistic: a 61 percent J-1 usage rate for federally funded grants versus a 38 percent national average. That is not evidence of fraud. It is evidence that research universities rely on international scholars more than other institutions do. If you subpoena someone for that, you are not protecting American workers. You are punishing American research.
