Trump Admin Targets Harvard, Yale, MIT and 6 Universities in Explosive Probe Into Alleged J-1 Visa Fraud

Harvard, Yale, MIT and six other universities face a Trump administration investigation into alleged J-1 visa fraud and the employment of foreign researchers (Credit: Daniel Torok/WIKIMEDIA COMMONS)

The Trump administration has launched an investigation into nine prominent US research universities over alleged misuse of the J-1 exchange visitor visa programme, escalating its scrutiny of international researchers and academic institutions.

Vice President JD Vance and Department of Labor Inspector General Anthony D'Esposito announced the investigation at a White House press conference on Thursday, 8 October. Officials said subpoenas had been issued and investigators would examine whether visa abuse, improper financial relationships or foreign influence were compromising federally funded research.