Latinos have applauded NBCUniversal's decision to end its "business relationship" with real-estate mogul and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump over his anti-immigration remarks.

NBCUniversal announced it has cut the chord on Trump on Monday afternoon, which includes the decision to not broadcast the Miss USA Pageants and moving on from "The Apprentice" franchise.

"At NBC, respect and dignity for all people are cornerstones of our values," the NBCUniversal statement read. "Due to the recent derogatory statements by Donald Trump regarding immigrants, NBCUniversal is ending its business relationship with Mr. Trump. To that end, the annual Miss USA and Miss Universe Pageants, which are part of a joint venture between NBC and Trump, will no longer air on NBC."

Trump was quick to respond to NBCUniversal's decision but defended his immigration remarks.

"We must have strong borders and not let illegal immigrants enter the United States. As has been stated continuously in the press, people are pouring across our borders unabated. Public reports routinely state great amounts of crime are being committed by illegal immigrants. This must be stopped and it must be stopped now," Trump said in a statement.

Trump also criticized NBC and threatened a lawsuit, while slating their support for former "Nightly News" anchor Brian Williams.

"If NBC is so weak and so foolish to not understand the serious illegal immigration problem in the United States, coupled with the horrendous and unfair trade deals we are making with Mexico, then their contract violating closure of Miss Universe/Miss USA will be determined in the court. Furthermore, they will stand behind lying Brian Williams, but won't stand behind people that tell it like it is, as unpleasant as that may be," Trump said.

In regards to "The Apprentice," Trump claimed he told NBC he will not continue with the show in order to pursue his presidential bid.

Latino politicians, for the most part, commended the broadcasters.

Rep. Luis Gutierrez, D-Ill., went on Twitter to commend the broadcast networks' decisions. He tweeted, "NBC, Telemundo, Univision are doing the right thing re: Trump. GOP should do likewise. Chicago not happy to see him."

"Our nation is a rich, diverse tapestry of human beings, many of whom are minorities, all of whom deserve simple, human respect," Rep. Tony Cardenas, D-Calif., said. "We are not just constituents, we are not just workers, we are also consumers. Donald Trump might have gotten away with disrespecting Latino men and women in another era. Today, however, companies nationwide realize that racism isn't just immoral and insulting, it's bad business. I applaud NBCUniversal and Univision for distancing themselves from these disgraceful remarks."

Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, supported his fellow Republican presidential candidate.

"When it comes to Donald Trump, I like Donald Trump," said Cruz during an appearance on "Fox and Friends" Tuesday morning. "I think he's terrific. I think he's brash. I think he speaks the truth, and I think NBC is engaging in political correctness that is silly and that is wrong."

Cruz said Trump should not apologize for speaking about the problems regarding immigration. "We are also a nation of immigrants and we should celebrate legal immigrants," continued Cruz, who said immigrants "are not mostly" drug dealers and rapists coming across the southern U.S. border.

"Donald Trump's remarks are wholly unacceptable in this day and age," said Ali Noorani, executive director of the National Immigration Forum. "Univision and NBC are right to cut ties and distance themselves from his rhetoric. Trump's cynicism and vitriol was exactly the opposite of the conversation we need on immigrants and immigration."

Arturo Carmona, executive director of Presente.org, called Trump "an extremist," and the entrepreneur's remarks exposed the racism and discrimination currently facing Latinos in the U.S.

"From racial profiling and brutality from police to pay disparity in the workforce and laws created to make our lives harder from the GOP -- the kind of racism espoused by Donald Trump has real consequences in our lives," Carmona said in a statement. "For a company hoping to cater to a Latino audience like NBC, it's a smart business move to distance themselves from this kind of toxic discrimination."

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For the latest updates, follow Latin Post's Michael Oleaga on Twitter: @EditorMikeO or contact via email: m.oleaga@latinpost.com.

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