Mar 6, 2026 minute read

Citizens of China, Russia, and Iran were able to make nearly 30,000 visits to sensitive American research facilities during the Biden administration, according to new data that was released by US Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA). In total, 28,028 Chinese nationals, 304 Iranians, and 1,608 Russians were able to gain access to labs that were being run by the Department of Energy.

“While Iran’s regime chanted ‘Death to America,’ the Biden administration rolled out the red carpet for Iranian foreign nationals to enter our National Labs,” Ernst told the New York Post. “They also gave entry to thousands of Chinese nationals and hundreds of Russians, who could then access and potentially steal American research.”

The length of the visits by the foreign nationals from the adversarial nations ranged from a few hours to months at a time. Some were even given remote access to the research labs, according to the report. The department has over 17 federally funded laboratories in the country. Additionally, under the Unclassified Foreign National Access Program, those from adversarial countries to the US are supposed to be reviewed with counterintelligence assessments.

“This process includes, at a minimum, the completion of intelligence indices checks, with additional local counterintelligence vetting conducted when dictated by factors such as the facility being visited, the duration of the visit, and the science and technology involved,” Energy Secretary Chris Wright said in a letter to Ernst.

“Due to Iran’s status as a State Sponsor of Terrorism, all Iranian citizens undergo enhanced counterintelligence review prior to access approval as required by the DOE order.”

Ernst had sought to find data on the visits of foreign nationals and found that “approximately 40,000 citizens of foreign countries, including more than 8,000 citizens from China and Russia, were granted access to … premises, information, or technology” in 2023’s fiscal year.

“After COVID-19, we should have learned our lesson about trusting Communist China’s scientists,” Earnst told reporters at the time. “We know our adversaries run sophisticated espionage programs to steal research, we do not need to invite them in.”