Chicago City Wire

Brian Kasal, President of Northside Republicans, expressed support for stricter Chinese visa requirements, stating they would 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.

"Stronger visa scrutiny reinforces the idea that Illinois' top university should benefit its own citizens first," said Kasal. "Our tax dollars fund the infrastructure, research, and faculty that make UIUC a world-class institution. That investment should directly serve the people of Illinois, not foreign governments. It's time to end the quiet outsourcing of our public education system."

According to the Chicago Sun-Times, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the implementation of more stringent visa criteria for students from China. The focus is on applicants in critical fields and those with ties to the Chinese Communist Party. This policy aims to increase oversight and protect U.S. research and national interests. At UIUC, over 6,000 Chinese students are currently enrolled, representing 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 about 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."