The Labor Department’s inspector general said Oct. 8 that federal investigations involving nine major American universities would examine whether foreign influence, financial relationships, or alleged visa abuse are compromising taxpayer-funded research, specifically warning about threats from the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

Inspector General Anthony D’Esposito said subpoenas had been served in investigations involving Harvard, Yale, Stanford, Brown, the University of Pittsburgh, University of California–Davis, Caltech, Arizona State University, and MIT.

“The Chinese Communist Party doesn’t need to kick down the doors of America’s research laboratories if our own institutions are willing to leave the doors wide open,” he said at a White House press conference.

“We will investigate whether foreign influence, improper financial relationships, or visa abuse are compromising federally funded research,” D’Esposito said.

The investigation centers on suspected misuse of J-1 visas, which allow foreign scholars to conduct research at American universities. D’Esposito accused institutions of improperly using the visa classifications to avoid employment obligations and exploit taxpayer-funded programs.

The government has not publicly identified specific Chinese institutions or research projects connected to the investigations.

Visa Practices Under Investigation

Vice President JD Vance said foreign researchers brought in through J-1 visas at the nine universities were paid approximately $20,000 less annually than American researchers.

The State Department’s J-1 research scholar program legally permits international research collaboration. Universities sponsoring these scholars must screen participants, verify their qualifications, and monitor their research activities.

The State Department said it works with exchange-program sponsors to investigate reported incidents and complaints and ensure compliance with federal regulations.

“The Department of State is using all available tools to defend the integrity of the U.S. visa system, ensuring visas are used only for their lawful and intended purposes and our system is not exploited through fraud,” a department spokesman told The Epoch Times on Oct. 9.

The department has also launched an online portal for the public to report suspected visa fraud and misuse.

D’Esposito accused universities of improperly using visa classifications to avoid employment obligations. The Epoch Times sought clarification from the Labor Department’s inspector general on the specific suspected violations and has not received a response.

D’Esposito said his office was establishing a visa fraud strike team to coordinate investigations across federal agencies and work with the Justice Department.

“We will follow the money, uncover the schemes, and work with Attorney General Todd Blanche to prosecute criminals,” he said.

Universities Respond

Brown University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology confirmed to The Epoch Times that they had received federal investigative demands.

Brown said it received a subpoena for “various records pertaining to foreign labor programs administered by the U.S. government” and would respond promptly.

“Brown’s international scholars, students, and employees make essential contributions on our campus, including to teaching and research that advances American innovation, competitiveness, and economic vitality,” the university said.

MIT confirmed receiving a request from the Labor Department’s inspector general on Oct. 8 and said it was reviewing what it described as a “very broad subpoena.”

“Of note, each J-1 visa holder at MIT has been vetted and authorized to come here by the U.S. government, and we take seriously our obligations to follow U.S. law,” an MIT spokesperson said.

MIT also said attracting international talent while protecting U.S. economic and security interests was a national strength.

Arizona State University defended its hiring practices in a statement to The Epoch Times, saying its substantial research operations required a large scientific and technical workforce.

ASU said it hired the necessary personnel “in complete compliance with existing United States policy and law.”

Yale University said it is committed to complying with federal visa requirements, including those governing J-1 researchers.

“The university will review the documents concerning this investigation once they are received,” Yale said in a statement to The Epoch Times.

Stanford University and the University of California–Davis also affirmed their compliance with federal visa requirements. Stanford said it would cooperate with the investigation, while UC Davis said it looked forward to working with federal authorities to confirm compliance.

Taxpayer-Funded Research

D'Esposito’s warning about possible foreign influence also raised questions about how universities protect research financed by American taxpayers. The National Science Foundation (NSF), a major federal funder of university research, outlined its safeguards in a statement to The Epoch Times on Oct. 9.

“Institutions and investigators must disclose all current and pending research support, all affiliations, and in-kind contributions as a condition of funding,” said Mike England, NSF’s head of media affairs. He said the requirements apply regardless of a researcher’s nationality.

England said NSF also prohibits participation in malign foreign talent recruitment programs, requires research-security training, and screens funding proposals for potential risks.

The agency is preparing additional restrictions on NSF-funded collaborations with entities on a restricted list, including concurrent appointments involving senior research personnel.

“These safeguards target bad-faith conduct—undisclosed foreign funding, IP and data theft, or talent-program participation—not international collaboration itself, which NSF views as an essential element of scientific progress,” England said.

Concerns About Chinese Military Access

Congress has previously examined how partnerships with Chinese institutions could expose American research to the CCP’s military.

A September 2025 House investigation examined Chinese doctoral students with academic ties to defense-linked institutions at six American universities, including Stanford.

A separate September 2025 congressional report warned that Chinese regime-funded joint university institutes could give Beijing access to American scientific expertise and military-relevant technologies through CCP-influenced leadership, research programs, and financial arrangements.

The committee also credited eight U.S. universities, including the University of Pittsburgh, with closing such partnerships following congressional scrutiny.

Those congressional investigations were separate from the newly announced J-1 inquiry.