Federal Criminal Investigation Launched Against Shen Yun Art Troupe Linked to Falungong

According to nine anonymous insiders, federal authorities are conducting a criminal investigation into the Shen Yun Art Troupe, a dance troupe operated by the Falungong religious movement. The investigation is being overseen by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the State Department, and federal prosecutors in Manhattan.
The probe at least partly focuses on possible visa fraud. The exact scope remains unclear, and it may not lead to any charges, but it comes at a time when Shen Yun is under intense scrutiny. Last year, The New York Times revealed that the troupe exploited young performers, often children of Falungong practitioners, paying them little or no wages while making them work long hours with extremely heavy schedules.
New York State regulators have launched another investigation into whether Shen Yun complies with state labor laws, and a former performer has sued it for forced labor and human trafficking. Federal agents are also seeking information on Shen Yun's financial and labor practices, including whether performers are instructed to smuggle cash into the U.S.
Shen Yun's representative, Chen Ying, said the group hasn't received any information from federal authorities but will fully cooperate if contacted, claiming to operate with integrity and adhere to the highest artistic and ethical standards. However, spokespersons for the relevant U.S. departments declined to comment.
Shen Yun is known for its ubiquitous advertising and holds hundreds of performances worldwide annually, conveying Falungong's anti-communist messages and the spiritual teachings of its founder, Li Hongzhi. Many performers come to New York on student visas, and their training is supervised by Li.
The criminal investigation reportedly began in 2023 at least and also focuses on whether Shen Yun's leadership arranged romantic relationships for performers. Additionally, investigators have inquired about performers' working and living conditions. Chen Ying said student performers receive full scholarships and that passports are properly kept and returned upon request.
Shen Yun and Falungong representatives claim labor laws don't apply to student performers and accuse critics of being pawns of the Chinese government. With substantial assets but a series of scandals, Shen Yun's future remains uncertain.