J-1 Visa Wage Probe Targets 9 Universities as JD Vance and Anthony D’esposito Push Reforms

The Trump administration opened investigations Thursday, October 8, 2026, into nine universities over alleged misuse of the J-1 exchange-visitor visa program. Labor Department Inspector General Anthony D’Esposito said subpoenas had already been served and the investigations were underway.

The inquiry centers on allegations that foreign researchers and graduate students received less pay than U.S. workers in comparable roles. No findings have been announced.

Vice President JD Vance said some universities use the visas to recruit foreign researchers at lower salaries, undercutting American graduate students and researchers. He cited alleged pay gaps of approximately $20,000 in one comparison and $48,000 in another.

Vance also pointed to the share of federally funded research involving J-1 visa holders. He put it at approximately 61% at the universities, against a 38% national average.

Nine campuses are named in the inquiry

The investigations cover:

• Harvard University
• Yale University
• Stanford University
• Brown University
• University of Pittsburgh
• University of California, Davis
• California Institute of Technology
• Arizona State University
• Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)

Investigators will examine pay, research funding and foreign ties

The Labor Department is expected to assess whether the universities used J-1 classifications to sidestep ordinary employment obligations or paid foreign personnel less than comparable U.S. workers. The inquiry also covers possible displacement of American workers.

Investigators are expected to examine whether institutions improperly used taxpayer-funded research programs. The inquiry will also look at possible concealed foreign influence or financial relationships tied to federally funded research.

D’Esposito said the department was forming a visa-fraud strike team with investigators from multiple federal agencies. The probe remains an evidence-gathering effort.

The program covers temporary study and research visits

The J-1 program allows approved foreign exchange visitors to study, teach or conduct research temporarily in the United States. Eligible visitors include students, researchers, professors, teachers and other specialists.

Officials have not publicly identified a specific researcher as having broken the law. They also provided no university-specific evidence when announcing the investigations.

Vance called on Congress and the administration to change the program. He said reforms should continue bringing skilled researchers to the United States while preventing institutions from cutting labor costs by paying foreign workers less.