Investigation Launched into US Universities Over Visa Fraud and Research Theft

Vice President JD Vance announced a federal investigation into nine elite universities, including Harvard and Stanford, regarding suspected visa fraud. The probe examines whether these schools used the J-1 exchange visitor visa program to hire cheaper foreign students and avoid employment obligations to U.S. citizens. Vance stated that 61% of researchers on federally funded grants at the nine universities are J-1 visa holders, compared to a national average of 38%.

Federal investigators are examining whether foreign influence or visa abuse is compromising federally funded research. The probe also looks into whether universities improperly used taxpayer-funded programs to pay for the visas.

China is using espionage to influence American universities and business leaders, which has prompted US restrictions on foreign student visas.