Chicago City Wire

Brian Kasal, President of Northside Republicans, said that stricter Chinese visa requirements will help refocus the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) on serving Illinois students rather than advancing foreign interests. Kasal made his statement to Chicago City Wire.

"Stricter Chinese student visa requirements are a necessary step to refocus the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign on its core mission: serving the people of Illinois," said Kasal. "As the state's flagship university, its classrooms, labs, and opportunities should primarily benefit Illinois students—not be used as a pipeline for foreign nationals to gain an advantage for their home countries. For too long, the university has leaned on international tuition dollars while in-state students face rising costs and limited access. It's time to put Illinois families first and protect the integrity of our public institutions from being exploited for global gain."

According to the Chicago Sun-Times, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the implementation of stricter visa criteria for students from China. The new policy focuses on applicants in critical fields and those with ties to the Chinese Communist Party. It aims to increase oversight and protect U.S. research and national interests. At UIUC, over 6,000 Chinese students are currently enrolled, making them the largest international group on a campus of nearly 60,000. While tighter screening could shift some enrollment patterns, officials note it could also strengthen the system by prioritizing transparency and aligning with national security goals.

IPM News reported that in March 2025, the Republican-led House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party sent a letter to UIUC and five other universities requesting details on their Chinese international student populations. The committee warned that heavy reliance on foreign tuition poses national security risks, citing concerns over research integrity and China's access to U.S. institutions. Chair John Moolenaar described the student visa system as a "Trojan horse for Beijing." According to IPM News, UIUC officials noted that students must typically show intent to return home to secure a visa.

Kasal, a resident of Chicago's 43rd Ward, was first appointed as President of Chicago's Northside Republican Club in 2021. According to the organization’s website, he is "focused on boosting Republican voter turnout, growing the Party’s membership, and communicating the Party’s positions on issues that matter to Chicago Northside voters."