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Dem Congressional Candidate: All Illegal Immigrants Living in U.S. Should Receive Amnesty

Hank Linderman, a Democratic congressional candidate in Kentucky, wants all immigrants living in the United States illegally to be granted amnesty.

Linderman's campaign released a statement with the candidate's position that all "qualified" illegal immigrants living in the United States as of July 4 should be able to remain, the Louisville Courier Journal reports.

"I am calling for action to help the millions of undocumented people already working in our communities, serving in our military, and raising families by granting amnesty," Linderman said.

"Any reform of immigration law and process in the United States must include amnesty for those already living here," he added.

Linderman also called for the restructuring of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, often referred to as ICE, and condemned the Trump administration's former policy of separating families who entered the country illegally at the southern border.

"The abuses we have seen, including family separations, extended incarcerations, and even violent and sexual assault, must stop," Linderman said.

"We are a nation of immigrants," he added. "To deny this reality is to deny our nation itself."

A growing number of Democrats have called for ICE, a law enforcement agency under the Department of Homeland Security, to either be abolished entirely or to be reformed.

Linderman is challenging incumbent Republican Rep. Brett Guthrie for his seat representing Kentucky's 2nd Congressional District. Guthrie was first elected to the House of Representatives in 2008. Linderman, a musician, narrowly won the Democratic nomination in the 2nd District which leans heavily Republican.