On Thursday, October 8, US Vice President Pence announced an investigation into several universities to review the use of J-1 visa programs. The schools under investigation include prestigious institutions such as Harvard, Yale, Stanford, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).
Vice President Pence expressed during a press conference on visa program fraud and abuse issues that “elite universities bring in foreigners to suppress the wages of American residents.” He mentioned nine universities that he believes are particularly worth investigating.
Among those named were Harvard University, Yale University, Stanford University, Brown University, University of Pittsburgh, Arizona State University, MIT, California Institute of Technology, and University of California, Davis, with three Ivy League schools on the list.
Pence stated, “We found that the salary for American research graduates employed as researchers is about $20,000 higher than those holding J-1 visas coming to the US; more significantly, these universities have a proportion of 61% in employing J-1 visa holders in implementing federally funded projects.”
The J-1 visa program allows non-US citizens to engage in short-term study, research, or work at the graduate level in the US.
He added, “The national average is 38%, so the situation at these universities is somewhat alarming. They are overusing these visas. They are utilizing these visas to drive down the wages of American graduate students and researchers, a situation that must stop.”
Labor Department Inspector General Anthony D’Esposito stated that these universities have received subpoenas, and the relevant investigative work is currently underway.
“I don’t care how prestigious a university considers itself to be,” he said. “If you break the law and harm the interests of the American people, I will personally handcuff you in the university square. I don’t care how substantial your donation fund is, how strong your alumni influence is, or how many politicians you can reach out to.”
D’Esposito also mentioned that the agency will investigate “foreign influence, improper financial relationships, or visa abuse that may be jeopardizing federally funded research projects” at these universities.
Addressing concerns about Chinese Communist Party penetration in US universities, D’Esposito said, “If American universities violate the law to save money while exposing American research results to hostile foreign powers, it is not about pursuing academic excellence but betraying the institution.”
He pointed out that if US institutions are willing to “open the doors,” countries like China “would have no need to forcibly enter US research laboratories.”
According to “The Hill,” Brown University confirmed receiving a subpoena and stated that “international scholars, students, and staff make significant contributions to our campus, including in teaching and research efforts that drive American innovation, competitiveness, and economic vitality.”
A spokesperson for MIT mentioned that the university is “reviewing this wide-ranging subpoena” and noted that all individuals holding J-1 visas have “been reviewed and approved by the US government to come to the US.”
A spokesperson for Yale stated, “Yale University is committed to full compliance with federal regulations regarding visas, including requirements related to J-1 visas. The university will review the documents related to this investigation upon receipt.”