Kane County Reporter

Devin Corbett, Chairman of the Aurora Township 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. Corbett made his statement to the Kane County Reporter.

"Tightening visa requirements for Chinese students helps realign the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign with its primary responsibility to serve Illinoisans," said Corbett. "As a public university, it exists to uplift local students and strengthen the state's future workforce. Prioritizing in-state access over foreign enrollment is both practical and principled. Illinois families shouldn't have to compete with students whose primary goal is to advance their home country's interests."

According to the Chicago Sun-Times, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the implementation of stricter 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 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 referred to 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.

Corbett was first elected as Chairman of the Aurora Township Republican Party in 2024. 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 Aurora Township voters."