As the 2016 U.S. presidential elections loom, thousands of legal Latino residents are becoming U.S. citizens, especially in Nevada, Florida and Colorado. The reason? It's Donald Trump.

Recently, there has been a measurable and substantial increase in Latino voter registration after an "anti-Latino" presidential hopeful, who stereotyped Hispanics as rapists and drug dealers, made waves in U.S. politics. Because of the infamous speech, several Latinos are eager to participate in the upcoming elections. 

Business tycoon Donald Trump initially made headlines after he became one of the most criticized Republican presidential candidates due to his harsh remarks and strong views against Mexicans and immigration. According to political experts, Trump's assertive demeanor and perceptions on Latinos and immigrants could lead to his epic downfall, regardless of his notoriety.

"Trump Effect"

Latinos make up one of the largest minority groups in the U.S. As a matter of fact, they comprise 13 percent of all eligible U.S. voters, with a record of 27 people Iin which almost 50 percent are millennials. The surprising rise in new voter registration among Latinos is attributed to the so-called, "Trump Effect."

"We've seen more people this year that want to become citizens and specifically because they want to vote against Trump," Ben Monterroso of Mi Familia Vota stated.

Aside from tapping into disaffected voters this year, Trump's immigration tirade also resulted to an "unintended consequence," where naturalized and voter registration efforts where combined "to mobilize voters off Trump's rhetoric."

While the exact number of the newly naturalized citizens remains unclear, it will likely affect the decisions at the ballot box in the upcoming 2016 U.S. presidential elections.

Pope Francis vs. Donald Trump

Meanwhile, the latest "war of words" between Pope Francis and Trump is also expected to add to Latinos' eagerness to participate in the upcoming elections. The Pontiff's strident comments on immigration and the Mexican border came after he hosted a mass in Ciudad Juarez.

"A person who thinks only about building walls, wherever they may be, and not building bridges, is not Christian," Pope Francis said on Trump's standpoint on immigration. "This is not in the gospel."

"As far as what you said about whether I would advise to vote or not to vote, I am not going to get involved that," the Pope added. "I say only that this man is not Christian if he said things like that."

Trump, on the other hand, responded by saying that the Pope is a "very political person," who doesn't understand the American-Mexican relations.

"If and when the Vatican is attacked by ISIS, which as everyone knows is ISIS's ultimate trophy, I can promise you that the Pope would have only wished and prayed that Donald Trump would have been President because this would not have happened," Trump wrote in a statement. "For a religious leader to question a person's faith is disgraceful. No leader, especially a religious leader, should have the right to question another man's religion or faith."

Latino Supporters

Donald Trump has a controversial immigration platform, which includes creating a wall along the border and increasing deportations. And while his camp insisted that they have Latino support, most polls show otherwise.

Monterroso even added that when Trump speaks badly about the Latino community, people become more anti-Trump and anti-Republican. He also stressd that the Pontiff aims to raise the issue and is not only urging Catholics but the whole Christian community to "welcome the stranger."