Iowa state senator Mark Chelgren, a republican who just kicked off a campaign to run for the United States Congress, has a solution for immigrants who repeatedly cross the border—executions. From the Journal Express coverage of his Congressional campaign kick-off:
For border security, Chelgren believes a fence would define the border and control who enters and leaves. If one is found to have crossed into the country illegally, committed a felony while here, then been deported, he supports executing that individual if they break America's immigration laws a second time.
The Associated Press confirmed his comments:
Reached by phone, Chelgren told The Associated Press that his comments came during a broader conversation about terrorism and border control. Chelgren stressed he was talking specifically about immigrants with felony convictions trying to re-enter the U.S. illegally with further criminal intent.
"I think capital punishment should be considered for people who are felons and re-enter this country illegally, yes," Chelgren said. "We have to make sure we are not incentivizing people whose only intent is to victimize."
Needless to say, he also touts his Christian values. And guns. Because nothing says Christian values like executions and more, more, more guns.
Chelgren shared some of his opinions of current, nationwide topics, including ISIS. He believes that ISIS is a threat to the civilized world and that every society based on Christian values is under attack. Chelgren was disappointed when President Obama said that America is not a Christian nation and again with Obama's work to try to restrict gun rights. Chelgren believes one of the things that keeps the majority of Americans safe is the fact that we have a well-armed citizenry. Americans should be trusted to be able to defend themselves, and any politician who seeks to undermine this has no right to be in office, he added.
Asked about his extreme solution for repeat border crossers, he’s not backing down (yet):
Chelgren said Democrats did not closely read his statements, which he said were directed only at a "subset" of immigrants. Asked about the Republican criticism, he said, "Those are my beliefs and my beliefs alone and I stand by them."
Mark Chelgren has previously raised eyebrows after comparing Iowa's preschool program to Nazi indoctrination.