Nine major research universities have received subpoenas from the Labor Department's inspector general as part of an investigation into their use of the J-1 exchange visitor program, the office said.
Inspector General Anthony P. D'Esposito listed Harvard, Yale, Stanford, Brown, M.I.T., Caltech, the University of California, Davis, Arizona State and the University of Pittsburgh. D'Esposito announced the investigation on Thursday at a White House event with Vice President JD Vance, Labor Secretary Keith Sonderling and Attorney General Todd Blanche.
"Subpoenas have been served. Investigations are underway. And nobody gets a free pass because their name is carved into an expensive building," Mr. D'Esposito said.
The J-1 program lets foreign nationals come to the United States to study, teach or conduct research for a temporary period. The inspector general's office is investigating whether the universities misclassified workers in order to avoid employment obligations, and whether foreign influence or improper financial ties have corrupted federally funded research.
One statistic that officials noted in particular showed that about 61 percent of postdoctoral researchers receiving federal grants at the nine universities were foreign nationals, compared with 38 percent elsewhere. Mr. Vance claimed that elite universities are importing foreigners to depress the wages of American workers.
The administration has not specifically named any fraudulent application or researcher accused of being hired illegally. Having a large percentage of foreign postdoctoral researchers is also perfectly consistent with the normal makeup of American research institutions.
Mr. D'Esposito hinted at China, saying that the Chinese Communist Party does not need to bust its way into American labs if institutions leave the door open.
He also revealed the existence of a Visa Fraud Strike Team consisting of employees from the Labor and Justice Departments, Homeland Security, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and the State Department's Diplomatic Security Service, as well as a Most Wanted list listing 16 fugitives accused of siphoning off more than 250 million.
Stanford University stated that it abides by all relevant visa laws and will cooperate fully with the investigation. The University of Pittsburgh claimed that it adheres to all federal requirements. Brown University confirmed that it has received a subpoena.
