AFP/New York
Donald Trump toured the Texas-Mexico border on Thursday to condemn illegal immigration, declare his love for Latinos and to belittle rival White House candidate Hillary Clinton.
The real estate mogul, who is well ahead of his Republican rivals in most polls, is running an aggressive campaign for US president that has condemned illegal immigration.
He flew into the border town of Laredo in a private jet emblazoned with his name, keeping the harsh sunshine at bay with a white baseball hat with his slogan “Make America Great Again”.
“There’s nothing more important than what I’m doing,” the former reality TV star said on arrival, calling illegal immigration “a tremendous problem.”
The 69-year-old multi-billionaire caused widespread outrage last month when he accused illegal immigrants from Mexico of importing crime, rape and drugs into the United States.
Thursday’s visit was “dangerous”, he claimed repeatedly.
“We have a tremendous danger on the border with the illegals coming in,” he told a news conference, agreeing to a remark from the crowd that “killers come from all over the world”.
But when it came to the Latino community in general, Trump said that he was in love.
Laredo’s population is 95.6% Hispanic or Latino.
“I employ thousands and thousands of Hispanics,” he said. “I love the people. They’re great workers. They’re fantastic people and they want legal immigration.”
He said he had been “surprised” by how warmly he was received despite spending barely two hours on the ground.