DES MOINES, Iowa, Dec. 2 (UPI) — A Republican Iowa state senator who is making a bid for U.S. Congress is facing criticism from both parties after saying he supports executing felons who continually enter the United States illegally.
State Sen. Mark Chelgren reportedly told the Journal-Express if someone who is in the country illegally commits a felony, is deported and re-enters the United States to reoffend, that person should face capital punishment. Chelgren confirmed his comments to the Des Moines Register but backed off a bit, saying the death penalty should be considered narrowly in situations of repeat offenders coming into the country with the intent to commit terrorism or other felony crimes.
“I am looking at people who are deported and who re-enter the country illegally. Obviously, I don’t want to tear apart families. We need to be sure we are protecting the people of the United States,” Chelgren said. “There is no reason to have felons here who threaten our way of life.”
Even after slightly backing off the comments, both Republicans and Democrats in Iowa were incensed. The Republican Party of Iowa said, “These remarks do not represent the values and beliefs of Iowa Republicans. Period.”
Democrats blasted Chelgren’s remarks as “vile, hateful and downright deplorable.”
“Mark Chelgren’s call for executing undocumented immigrants represents a dangerous new low for the Republican Party,” Andy McGuire, chairwoman of the Iowa Democratic Party, said.
Chelgren contends the Democratic Party is overreacting to his remarks and engaging in “race-baiting.”
“I will be strong on crime. I want to make sure that we don’t have criminals coming into the United States and victimizing our citizens,” he said.
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