Archive · 9 Oct 2026
Trump Administration Probes Nine Universities Over J-1 Visa Use
The U.S. government is investigating nine universities.
It sent them subpoenas about how they use the J-1 visa program.
This program lets people from other countries come to the United States for research, teaching, and specialized work.
Vice President JD Vance announced the investigation.
He said some universities may have paid foreign researchers less than American workers doing similar jobs.
He mentioned two pay differences: $20,000 and $48,000.
Vance said the program might be used to lower labor costs and replace American workers.
The article does not say what the investigation will conclude.
The Trump administration issued federal subpoenas to nine major U.S. universities over alleged misuse of the J-1 visa program.
Universities named include Harvard, Yale, MIT, Stanford and Caltech.
Vice President JD Vance announced the investigation.
Vance alleged some universities paid foreign researchers substantially less than Americans in comparable roles.
He cited pay gaps of $20,000 and $48,000 and alleged the program could displace American workers.
- Who
- The Trump administration, with Vice President JD Vance announcing the investigation, and nine U.S. universities.
- What
- Federal subpoenas were issued in an investigation into alleged misuse of the J-1 visa program.
- Where
- The United States.
- Why
- The administration alleges that some universities used the program to hire foreign researchers at lower wages and displace American workers.
Administration's allegations
Universities' response
Use of the J-1 program
Administration's allegations
JD Vance alleged that some elite universities use the program to reduce labor costs and displace American workers.
Universities' response
The article does not include a response from the universities.
Researcher pay
Administration's allegations
Vance claimed foreign researchers at some institutions earned less than Americans in similar roles, citing gaps of $20,000 and $48,000.
Universities' response
The article provides no university response or independent confirmation of the alleged pay gaps.
- Universities subpoenaed
- Nine major U.S. universities
- Universities named
- Harvard, Yale, MIT, Stanford and Caltech
- Visa program
- J-1 exchange visitor program
- Program uses
- Research, teaching and specialized work
- Pay gaps cited
- $20,000 and $48,000
- Investigation concerns
- Alleged lower pay for foreign researchers and potential displacement of American workers