Local Immigration Advocates Applaud NBC Cutting Ties With Trump After Offensive Remarks

The backlash continues against Donald Trump two weeks after the billionaire presidential hopeful made controversial statements about Mexican immigrants.

Monday, NBCUniversal decided to cut business ties with Trump. The network will not air the annual Miss USA and Miss Universe pageants, which Trump jointly owns with NBC.

During his speech announcing his bid for presidency, Trump said, "When Mexico sends its people, they’re not sending their best. They’re bringing drugs, they’re bringing crime, they’re rapists, and some, I assume, are good people," Trump said during his speech announcing his bid for presidency.

Those are comments that local immigrant advocates say are not representative of their community.

"I’m an American with no papers. But also, I’m no rapist. I’m not a drug dealer. I’m educated. I have a bachelor’s and a master’s degree," said Eleazar Valdez, a member of the organization Fresno Immigrant Youth in Action.

The backlash is mounting. NBCUniversal’s decision follows Univision’s decision last week not to air the Miss USA and Miss Universe pageants.

NBCUniversal called Trumps remarks "derogatory," saying in a statement: "At NBC, respect and dignity for all people are cornerstones of our values."

With 55 million Latinos in the U.S., political analysts say the Latino vote is crucial.

"Neither political party can really win an election without support from the Hispanic population. It’s that significant," said political analyst Don Larson.

As the Republican party tries to win the Latino vote, Larson says Trumps words are damaging not only to himself, but to the whole Republican party.

"Unless they disavowal what he has said and do it strongly, vehemently, people are going to figure that, well, the Republican party isn’t totally opposed to what he’s saying," Larson said.

Immigrant advocates say Trump’s remarks treat them as second-class citizens.

Immigrant advocate Gelasio Rodriguez says it shows the level of ignorance coming from someone who is running for the highest office in the country.

"It shakes us, and it makes us feel–wonder if the people that are in public office really care about us or if they even know anything about us and the communities that they’re supposed to be representing," Rodriguez said.

NBC will continue to air Celebrity Apprentice. The network was already looking for a new host for the show since Trump had previously stepped aside to run for president.