White House cracks down on student visas at Stanford and Caltech, as well as tech work visas

Key Points:

• The Trump administration has launched investigations into top U.S. universities, including Stanford, Caltech, and UC Davis, for allegedly abusing J-1 visas used by international scholars and students, while suspending Microsoft, Adobe, and six other tech firms from sponsoring permanent residency for H-1B visa holders.
• Vice President JD Vance criticized universities and companies for overusing these visas, claiming they displace American workers and undercut wages, with Microsoft singled out for allegedly abusing the permanent labor certification program.
• The crackdown comes amid broader efforts to limit international student and worker visas, including proposed restrictions on visa durations and increased fees for Optional Practical Training, leading to a decline in international scholar participation and concerns about harming U.S. competitiveness.
• Tech companies and universities have expressed confusion and concern over the targeted enforcement actions, emphasizing their compliance with visa laws and the importance of international talent for innovation and economic growth.
• Data shows a significant drop in new J-1 research scholars in 2025, with California and New York as leading destinations, while education and industry leaders warn the policies may further reduce international enrollment and talent inflow to the U.S.