John Krhin, Candidate for Governor – March 2, 2026
The United States Constitution, Article I, Section 8, grants Congress the power to establish a “uniform Rule of Naturalization.” Article I, Section 9, restricted Congress from prohibiting the then-existing States from allowing the migration or importation of people prior to 1808, but after that, all powers to regulate immigration belong to the federal government.
Since the ratification of the 14th Amendment, the general consensus is that all persons born in the United States are granted citizenship—birthright citizenship. Despite a 1898 Supreme Court decision in favor of that concept, it is strenuously challenged today.
I believe that the 14th Amendment limits birthright citizenship to those “subject to the jurisdiction thereof” clause. Children born to foreign government agents living in the United States, for instance, are not under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Neither are mothers who are citizens of other nations and who happen to deliver a child on U.S. soil under the legal jurisdiction of the United States, but not as citizens themselves.
All citizens and non-citizens, however, do qualify for “due process” and “equal protection” protected by the U.S. Constitution.
The Minnesota State Constitution does not specifically address immigration, as immigration law is an enumerated power granted to the federal government. Some argue incorrectly, I believe, that Minnesota’s Bill of Rights guarantees rights and privileges to both citizens and non-citizens. Their argument fails to distinguish between rights endowed by our Creator and practical laws necessary for a peaceful and regulated society, which is the leading object of government per Article 1, Section 1 of the Minnesota State Constitution, Bill of Rights. Unfortunately, the Minnesota Attorney General’s office and other governmental entities and persons continue to make arbitrary decisions regarding non-citizen residents and illegal immigrants.
Somalians and other recent immigrants can learn two lessons from our history. The first is illustrated by my father, who came to the United States in 1913. He and his contemporaries fled the tyranny of the Austrian-Hungarian government. He, like other European immigrants, followed U.S. immigration laws, pledged allegiance only to the U.S.A., swore off allegiance to his former country, and became a naturalized citizen.
The second lesson proved more difficult for Iron Rangers like my father. For over 100 years, many of them swore fealty to the Minnesota DFL Party. They believed the DFL Party represented working people, like themselves.
The last decade has seen the Iron Range and most of Greater Minnesota residents throw off DFL control and join the conservative revolution that has swept the United States. Minnesota’s metro residents, largely populated by recent immigrants, continue to fall prey to the DFL, liberal white woke culture, and increasingly entrenched secularism. This has enabled and encouraged recent immigrants to follow the unpatriotic and non-assimilating views of their ethnic elders.
Particularly alarming to Minnesotans and U.S. citizens across the nation is the unwillingness of many Islamic immigrants to swear off allegiances to foreign political systems, even planning to incorporate Shariah Law in our communities. Shariah Law is a direct threat to our God-ordained Constitutional, Republican form of government. Hence, we must directly prohibit it by State statute as an alternative legal system.
I support a common-sense immigration policy for Minnesota based on the U.S. Constitution, noting that:
- Immigration law is a federal power and responsibility.
- Uniform adherence to Federal Immigration law and enforcement by all of the states is necessary to fulfill the purpose of our Constitution as written in its Preamble. “We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and Secure the Blessings of Liberty to us and our Posterity…” As Governor of Minnesota, I will swear to uphold and defend the Minnesota and U.S. Constitutions.
- All government contracts and agreements, including applications for human services, and licenses, must be written only in English.
- Finally, as a nation founded upon Christian mores, Minnesota can compassionately and judiciously comply with federal law that requires the detention and deportation of immigrants here illegally under federal law. I strongly encourage immigrants removed from the U.S. to apply for legal entry with a goal of becoming U.S. citizens and assimilating into our culture and accepting our laws.
As Minnesotans, we will offer compassionate care to legal immigrants and encourage faith groups and individuals to step up and meet their humanitarian needs without defrauding the State or Federal government.