Ten Republican presidential candidates engaged in the third primary debate with a focus on the economy, but the topic of immigration also made an impact.

Businessman Donald Trump, retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, former HP CEO Carly Fiorina, South Carolina Sen. Rand Paul, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, Ohio Gov. John Kasich and New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie were all eligible to participate based on the average of select national polling surveys identified by broadcaster CNBC and the Republican National Committee.

From the University of Colorado in Boulder, the first utterance of immigration was directed at Trump. The real estate mogul defended the idea of a wall across the U.S.-Mexico border, which would be paid by the Mexican government, but a door will be placed for legal immigration. Trump said he loves the Mexican people and called the Mexican government "smart."

Trump was confronted on Rubio's stance to increase H-1B visas. As Latin Post reported, H-1B is a visa program that allows U.S. businesses to employ foreign-born workers in occupations with "specialized knowledge," such as engineering, computer programmers and scientists. Trump was told he referred to Rubio as "Mark Zuckerberg's personal senator." Trump denied making that remark.

"I never said that. ... Somebody's really doing some bad fact-checking," said Trump to CNBC moderator Becky Quick.

Later in the debate, however, Quick found her source and it was directly from Trump's campaign website that outlined the businessman's immigration plan.

Cruz was able to utilize some time to blast mainstream media, accusing the CNBC moderators of stirring trouble among the candidates.

"The questions that have been asked so far in this debate illustrate why the American people don't trust the media," Cruz said, after being asked a question about the debt ceiling debate in Congress. "This is not a cage match. How about talking about the substantive issues people care about."

Rubio and Christie also blasted the media.

The Florida senator criticized his state's Sun Sentinel, which had published an editorial questioning his absence in the Senate and drop out the race. Later, Rubio said the mainstream media served as an unofficial super political action committee (PAC) in Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton's favor.

Christie told one of the moderators that his question was rude. Specifically stating, "Even in New Jersey what you're doing is called rude." He also criticized a question about fantasy sports drafts and wanted more serious questions.

"We're talking about fantasy football? How about we get the government to do what they're supposed to be doing? Enough on fantasy football," said Christie. "Let people play. Who cares?"

But Rubio's night continued with an altercation with Bush. Referring to the Sun Sentinel editorial, Bush said Rubio should be more committed to his senate job.

"Marco, when you signed up for this, this was a six-year term and you should be showing up to work. What is this, like a French work week? Just resign and let someone else take the job," said Bush.

Rubio shot back, referring to the missed votes by then-presidential candidates John Kerry, John McCain and Barack Obama.

"The only reason you're doing it now is because we're running for the same position," Rubio told Bush.

Following the debate, the RNC issued a statement about CNBC's handling of the debate -- and it wasn't good.

On Twitter, RNC Chairman Reince Priebus wrote, "CNBC should be ashamed of how this debate was handled."

In a statement obtained by Latin Post, Priebus offered a longer statement stating he's proud of the candidates and how they handled the debate but the CNBC moderators were "extremely disappointing and did a disserve to their network, our candidates and voters."

"Our diverse field of talented and exceptionally qualified candidates did their best to share ideas for how to reinvigorate the economy and put Americans back to work despite deeply unfortunate questioning from CNBC," Reince said in a statement.

The RNC chairman added, "One of the great things about our party is that we are able to have a dynamic exchange about which solutions will secure a prosperous future, and I will fight to ensure future debates allow for a more robust exchange. CNBC should be ashamed of how this debate was handled."

Final Debate Speaking Times:

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

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