Donald Trump branded the U.S. the new "dumping ground for the world" and unapologetically lamented illegal immigrants have to be stopped during a fiery campaign speech in Dallas on Monday.

Speaking to a crowd of more than 15,000 people at the American Airlines Arena, the 2016 Republican front-runner announced his plan to totally revamp immigration laws as we now know them, stating, "We have to stop illegal immigration. We have to do it."

Trump went on to slam what he calls "sanctuary cities" where local authorities don't turn undocumented immigrants to federal authorities. "You have to end this sanctuary-cities crap fast," he said.

As Trump railed against illegal immigration inside the arena, a steady stream of protesters gathered outside for a "Dump Trump" rally made necessary by what they characterized as his hateful rhetoric. The end result was a number of heated clashes between Trump supporters and those who had gathered to condemn his ideology.

In time, Trump turned his attention to his positive poll numbers, at one point boasting to the crowd, "We're really killing it. We are kiiilllling it."

Even in the face of such good news, Trump still couldn't refrain from taking shots at the media, complaining that many outlets "don't cover his poll surges" in the same way they cover his GOP opponents.

"What about me?" he asked the crowd. "Where's my name? I'm at 40 percent!"

In fact, a new ABC News and Washington Post poll now showed Trump leading the Republican presidential field with 33 percent of the vote followed by Ben Carson with 20 percent.

As they left the arena, those who came in support of Trump praised him for his straightforward approach and unapologetic tone.

"We need this man in office," Brenda White, a Fort Worth resident, told NBC News. "I truly believe he's the only person that can save this country."