GoKawiilUS Labor Department probes nine universities over J-1 postdoc visas
The US Department of Labor is investigating nine universities—including Harvard, Stanford, Yale, MIT, Caltech, Arizona State, Brown, UC Davis and the University of Pittsburgh—over their use of J-1 visas for international postdoctoral researchers. Vice-President JD Vance announced the probe on October 8, saying it aims to curb visa fraud and prevent universities from using international researchers to undercut wages for American graduate students and researchers. Several universities confirmed receiving subpoenas and said they comply with visa regulations.
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The investigation could intensify anxiety among international scientists already navigating a tightening immigration environment in US academia, researchers at affected institutions say. Critics argue the wage-undercutting rationale misreads how postdoc visas function, since international researchers fill roles seen as essential to US lab operations rather than displacing domestic talent. The probe adds to a broader pattern of scrutiny on international scholars, including a separate proposal to charge fees for post-graduate work visas, which could collectively affect how the US attracts and retains global research talent.
- Nine major US universities face a Department of Labor investigation into J-1 visa use for postdocs.
- VP JD Vance says the probe targets visa fraud and wage undercutting of American researchers.
- Universities say they received subpoenas and maintain compliance, while scientists report rising unease among international researchers.
Source: nature.com — Jones, 2026-10-19
Published there as: “US government probe into postdoc visas worries scientists”
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