# Harvard and 8 US universities under J-1 visa fraud probe

> US labor inspector general targets 9 universities for alleged J-1 visa fraud.
- Title: Harvard and 8 US universities under J-1 visa fraud probe
- Summary: US labor inspector general targets 9 universities for alleged J-1 visa fraud. US Department of Labor Inspector General Anthony P. D’Esposito announced an…
- Keywords: j-1 visa, university, harvard, yale, mit, us labor inspector general, visa fraud, j-1 visa program, federal research funding, business, money, news
- Source: Financialexpress — https://financialexpress.com/immigration/harvard-yale-and-mit-among-9-us-universities-facing-j-1-visa-fraud-investigation/4359387
- Author: Sunil Dhawan
- Published: 2026-10-12T12:34:53+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: j-1 visa, university, harvard, yale, mit, us labor inspector general, visa fraud, j-1 visa program, federal research funding, business, money, news
## US labor inspector general announces J-1 visa fraud probe
US Department of Labor Inspector General Anthony P. D’Esposito announced an investigation into potential fraud in J-1 visa programs at nine US universities including Harvard, Yale, and MIT.
## Subpoenas served to nine universities
Subpoenas have been served to each of the nine universities: Pitt, Yale, Harvard, Stanford, Brown, UC Davis, Caltech, Arizona State University, and MIT.
## Investigation focuses on misuse of J-1 programs
The investigation will examine alleged misuse and misclassification within J-1 visa programs at institutions that collectively receive billions of dollars in federally supported research funding.
## 61% of postdocs at these universities are foreign nationals
Approximately 61% of postdoctoral workers and researchers supported by federal grants at the nine universities are foreign nationals, compared to 38% at other universities.
## Inspector General D’Esposito's warning
Improperly used J-1 visa classifications to avoid employment obligations, exploit taxpayer-funded programs, and undermine American workers will not be tolerated.

> Improperly used J-1 visa classifications to avoid employment obligations, exploit taxpayer-funded programs, and undermine American workers will not be tolerated
## Two enforcement initiatives launched
The Visa Fraud Strike Team and the Labor Inspector General Most Wanted List were unveiled as part of the investigation.
## Most Wanted List features 16 fugitives
The Most Wanted List features 16 fugitives accused of stealing more than $250 million from American workers and taxpayers.

> The Most Wanted List features 16 fugitives accused of stealing more than $250 million from American workers and taxpayers
## Key takeaway

US Department of Labor Inspector General Anthony P. D’Esposito announced an investigation into potential fraud in J-1 visa programs at nine US universities including Harvard, Yale, and MIT.