Trump to Visit Laredo, Tour Texas-Mexico Border

Donald Trump, the Republican presidential candidate who has drawn fire for his inflammatory comments on illegal immigration, is making a trip to the Texas-Mexico border, his campaign announced Wednesday.

Trump is scheduled to visit Laredo on Thursday to hold a meet and greet with the local Border Patrol union, see the border and address local law enforcement officials.

The billionaire businessman has been the subject of intense criticism since his presidential announcement speech, when he characterized people in the country illegally as rapists and other kinds of criminals.

Trump’s candidacy has divided top Texas Republicans, with former Gov. Rick Perry emerging as the most vocal critic of the real estate magnate. U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, meanwhile, has refused to denounce Trump, swearing off “Republican-on-Republican violence.”

Gov. Greg Abbott, who has made it a priority to show presidential candidates the border, has said he disagreed with the tone of Trump’s remarks on illegal immigration but was thankful he was raising awareness of the issue.