Vance opens J-1 visa fraud investigation into nine US universities

Vice President JD Vance announced on Thursday that the Trump administration is investigating nine universities for potential J-1 visa fraud, alleging the institutions use foreign researchers to undercut wages of American graduate students and researchers. The nine universities are 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.statnews.com+1

The Department of Labor's inspector general, Anthony P. D'Esposito, said at a Thursday press conference that his office had already served subpoenas to the nine universities. The subpoenas will examine allegations of undue foreign influence, foreign financial ties, and J-1 visas. D'Esposito said universities would face scrutiny over alleged misuse of J-1 classifications to avoid employment obligations and undermine American workers.wired.com

What the investigation covers

Vance alleged that 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. He did not explain how the figures were calculated. "Something weird is going on at these universities," Vance said Thursday. "They're using these visas way too much."

The J-1 Exchange Visitor Program allows foreign nationals to temporarily study, teach, or conduct research in the United States through exchange programs overseen by the State Department. The investigation forms part of a broader crackdown on student and employment-based immigration programs announced the same day, which also included suspending Microsoft, Adobe, and several IT outsourcing companies from the Permanent Labor Certification programme.

Harvard spokesperson Jason A. Newton confirmed the university had received the subpoena and was reviewing it. Harvard currently sponsors visas for more than 10,000 international students and scholars across the university, according to the Harvard International Office. The investigation marks the latest escalation in the Trump administration's efforts to scrutinise Harvard's international students and researchers.saharareporters.com

The wage undercutting allegation

In July 2025, the State Department launched a separate investigation into Harvard's participation in the same J-1 visa program, questioning whether the university's programming ran "contrary to our nation's interests." The State Department did not allege specific misconduct at the time but demanded records related to Harvard's visa sponsorships. Earlier that month, the Department of Homeland Security subpoenaed Harvard for records on its oversight of international students.

The announcement comes days after lawyers for the Trump administration suggested in court that the White House would re-issue a proclamation barring Harvard's international students from entering the United States if the court lifted an injunction on the ban. D'Esposito said at the press conference that nobody would be getting a free pass because their name is carved into an expensive building.

Prior scrutiny of Harvard

The investigation was announced alongside the suspension of Microsoft, Adobe, Cognizant, Infosys, Tata, Wipro, HCL, and Capgemini from the Permanent Labor Certification programme, a process through which US employers sponsor foreign workers for permanent residency. Secretary of Labor Keith Sonderling said the agency is investigating whether these companies committed fraud by hiring foreign employees and undercutting American workers.

Vance said the administration's action aimed to prevent companies from using visa programmes to reduce wages or replace American employees. He called on Congress to reform the H-1B visa programme, arguing existing rules contain loopholes that have enabled abuse. The Department of Labor did not immediately respond to a request for clarity on whether the university investigation would affect current J-1 holders.