Trump Standing By Claim Despite Backlash
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MIAMI (CBSMiami) -- Donald Trump is standing by his claim that the Mexican government is shipping drug dealers and rapists to the United States.
"More people are in this country illegally than ever before," said Trump. "Mexico pushes back people across the border, that are criminals that are drug dealers."
Trump's repeated remarks prompted a call from the head of the Republican National Committe Reince Priebus who reportedly told Trump to tone down his comments.
In a tweet, Trump disputed that, saying "He called me, ten minutes, said I hit a nerve, doing well. End!"
While campaigning in Iowa, Florida Senator Marco Rubio said Trump did not speak for the GOP.
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"He'll have to respond to his own comments. I obviously strongly disagree with them. They're inaccurate, and they're offensive and they're divisive," said Rubio.
Earlier in the week, Trump tweeted a comment that Former Florida Governor and presidential candidate Jeb Bush has to like Mexicans because his wife was born there.
"My wife's from Mexico. I love her dearly, been married 41 years," said Bush.
As president, Bush said he'd be able to love his wife and enforce a tough immigration policy.
"I'm not going to stop loving my wife. I'm pretty comfortable with that position. I'm going to stick with it for a while," said Bush.
Trump is also under fire following a Washington Post report that claims several undocumented immigrants are working construction at a Trump Hotel under construction in Washington. Trump dismissed the report.
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"I have many legal immigrants working for me. Many of them come from Mexico. They love me. I love them. I'll tell you something, if I get the nomination, I'll win the Latino vote," said Trump.
Trump will get a chance to test that confidence when he campaigns this weekend in Arizona and Nevada - two states with large Hispanic populations