The Trump administration has launched a formal investigation into Harvard University’s use of the J-1 Exchange Visitor Program, a direct challenge to one of the U.S.’s largest and most widely used visa categories for academic and cultural exchange.
What is the J-1 Visa Program and Why is it Important?
The J-1 Exchange Visitor Program brings approximately 300,000 foreign visitors to the U.S. annually, from more than 200 countries and territories. Participants include:
- Visiting scholars and postdoctoral researchers
- University students and interns
- Physicians in medical training
- Camp counselors and au pairs
For employers and host institutions, J-1 participants fill essential roles in research, childcare, seasonal labor, and cross-cultural education. These programs are designed not only to build skills but also to foster global goodwill, a cornerstone of U.S. soft power.
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Why This Matters for Employers, Universities, and Host Families
Talent and Innovation Are at Risk
International scholars now make up 26% of the U.S. STEM workforce. Roughly 35,000 postdoctoral researchers in the U.S. are foreign nationals on temporary visas, many of them J-1. Limiting these visas could stall innovation across sectors from biotech to climate science.
The Economic Ripple Effect Is Real
International students and scholars contributed nearly $43.8 billion to the U.S. economy in 2023–2024, supporting over 378,000 jobs across housing, food, transport, and retail, according to NAFSA: Association of International Educators.
Families May Lose Access to Affordable Childcare
About 20,000 au pairs come to the U.S. on J-1 visas every year, most of them women, providing child care while engaging in cultural exchange.
What’s Happening at Harvard Could Be a Preview of What’s Next
Harvard sponsors more than 7,000 individuals across F-1 and J-1 visa categories, about 26% of its student body. While the government has historically investigated schools for visa fraud (for instance, “degree mills”), the probe into Harvard is not tied to any specific misconduct.
This follows a series of recent actions:
- Revoking Harvard’s SEVP certification (temporarily blocked by a judge)
- Suspending research grants
- Demanding surveillance footage of campus protests
- Threatening visa revocations under a proclamation targeting “foreign influence”
Former USCIS Officer Breaks Down the Risks for Employers
The scrutiny of J-1 visas, particularly at elite institutions like Harvard, is part of a broader shift in U.S. policy that began during the first Trump administration, says Erik Finch, director of global operations at Boundless and a former USCIS officer. According to Finch, the approach has increasingly treated immigration as a tool of foreign policy leverage, particularly with regard to China.
1. Visa policy as foreign policy leverage
The actions against J‑1 visas, especially targeting Chinese nationals, are part of a coordinated “whole-of-government” approach that treats the visa system as leverage in geopolitical competition between the U.S. and China, says Finch.
- This has included visa restrictions on Chinese students and increased vetting of visa categories tied to sensitive research fields, like artificial intelligence and quantum computing.
2. FBI China Initiative and increased scrutiny
The FBI’s “China Initiative” (launched in 2018) led to a wave of investigations into researchers — many of Chinese descent — focusing on undeclared affiliations with foreign institutions. J-1 scholars in STEM fields have frequently been caught in the crosshairs.
3. Confucius Institutes and J-1 visa staff
U.S. government agencies, including the State Department and members of Congress, have scrutinized Confucius Institutes — often staffed by Chinese nationals on J‑1 visas — over concerns about espionage and Chinese government propaganda. Though most investigations found no criminal activity, they fueled fears and tightened visa oversight.
4. Political use of SEVIS and diplomatic pressure
Historically, SEVIS sanctions were used only in cases of fraud like “degree mills,” says Finch. Now, is appears the government is leveraging SEVIS revocations and demands for records for political ends, such as compelling universities to comply with policy demands. In Harvard’s case, the revocation was halted by court order, but the move set a troubling new standard.
“The government typically reserves SEVIS revocations for outright fraud,” Finch says. “What we’re seeing now— using these powers to extract political concessions — is unprecedented.”
The court decision acknowledged that while SEVIS authority exists, the State Department retains the right to investigate compliance with exchange program rules.
What’s Next and What Employers Should Watch
While Harvard is the highest-profile case, this shift could have ripple effects across other universities, host families, and employers. Key takeaways:
- Expect increased scrutiny of institutions that sponsor J-1 visa holders, especially if they’re perceived as politically or culturally controversial.
- Prepare for uncertainty: Visa approvals, program renewals, and compliance documentation may face new hurdles, even for employers and hosts acting in good faith.
- Support your visa holders: Whether it’s an au pair, intern, or researcher, ensure participants feel safe, informed, and empowered to speak up about their rights.
“This is about more than visas,” said Finch. “It’s about whether the U.S. still welcomes global talent, or whether we’re closing our doors to the very people who help us grow.”