Extend counterintelligence law to foreign spying at universities
What the document says“The CEA should be updated to include foreign espionage efforts aimed at universities.”
The Counterintelligence Enhancement Act of 2002 governs the national counterintelligence structure. The chapter asks that it be updated to cover foreign espionage aimed at universities, that the National Counterintelligence and Security Center's role be amplified, and that the FBI receive significant additional resources and legal authorities as the lead operational counterintelligence agency. It states that China steals at least $400 billion to $600 billion in intellectual property each year.
What the document actually says“The CEA should be updated to include foreign espionage efforts aimed at universities.”
Update this law. Make it cover foreign spying aimed at universities.
Other countries try to steal research. Some of it is done at universities. The book says the law should cover that.
Transparency Regarding Foreign Influence at American Universities
2025-04-23 · 90 FR 17541
Executive Order 14282 treats foreign money on American campuses as a national security problem and directs the Secretary of Education, working with the Attorney General, to enforce the foreign funding disclosure requirement of section 117 of the Higher Education Act, to require disclosure of the true source and purpose of the funds, to conduct audits and investigations, and to withhold federal grant funds from institutions that do not comply. It goes at foreign penetration of universities by a different route than the one asked for. It amends no statute and leaves the Counterintelligence Enhancement Act of 2002 untouched, it concerns disclosure of money rather than espionage, and it gives the work to the Education Department and the Attorney General rather than to the National Counterintelligence and Security Center or the FBI, whose role and resources the chapter would expand.
The order goes after foreign money on campus. Schools must report where the funds come from or lose grants. The chapter wanted a 2002 law changed to cover spying at schools. That law is untouched, and the spy agencies get no new role here.