You're fired! Univision severs ties with Donald Trump after anti-immigrant comments

Donald Trump's presidential campaign announcement speech has landed him in some hot water. Spanish-language network Univision announced on 25 June that it was severing ties with the entrepreneur and reality TV star after his controversial comments on Mexican immigrants.

In a statement posted on its website, the company said: "At Univision we see first-hand the work ethic, love for family, strong religious values and the important role Mexican immigrants and Mexican-Americans have had and will continue to have in building the future of our country. We will not be airing the Miss USA pageant on July 12th or working on any other projects tied to the Trump Organisation."

Trump announced his presidential bid in a speech filled with controversial comments. The property mogul turned Republican candidate even managed to anger the Latino community with his views on Mexico and immigration.

"When Mexico sends its people, they're not sending their best," the 69-year-old said. "They're not sending you. They're not sending you. They're sending people that have lots of problems and they're bringing those problems with us. They're bringing drugs, they're bringing crime, they're rapists, and some, I assume, are good people."

The Republican candidate took to Twitter to defend himself and continue to lash out against the Mexican government.

According to the Washington Post, he later released a statement claiming the Mexican government pressured Univision to cut ties because he was "exposing to the public, and the world, the significant damage that is being done at the southern border, and the terrible and costly trade deals that the United States is incompetently making with the Mexico [these deals are great for Mexico and horrible for the United States]."

Trump also announced his intention to sue the network for break of contract and defamation, his lawyer told reporters on 25 June.

"We intend to pursue all legal rights and remedies available to Mr Trump pursuant to the terms of the license agreement as well as a defamation case against Univision," said Trump's executive vice president and special counsel Michael Cohen. "I am at this moment finalising the retainer agreement with outside counsel."

Monica Talan, a spokeswoman for Univision, declined to comment beyond the company's initial statement, Politico reported.

A presidential poll released by Fox News on 24 June revealed Trump has risen to second place behind Jeb Bush with 11%. However, the Washington Post noted that only 18% of respondents considered Trump to be a serious candidate, whereas 77% considered him a mere "side show".