Federal investigators are examining whether nine U.S. universities improperly used J-1 exchange-visitor visas for international researchers and scholars. The institutions identified in reporting include Harvard, Yale, Stanford, MIT, Caltech, Brown, Arizona State, the University of Pittsburgh and UC Davis. Officials allege that some institutions may have used the program to reduce labor costs; those claims remain allegations while the investigations proceed. The inquiries arrive as universities are already navigating tighter immigration rules and uncertainty over federal research support. The stakes extend beyond individual visa holders: international research collaborations often depend on the ability to recruit specialists and maintain predictable employment pathways. The Indian Express reported the investigations and universities’ responses.