Donald Trump to tour U.S.-Mexico border, meet 'some brave people'

NEW YORK, July 22 (UPI) -- Republican presidential contender Donald Trump will visit the United States-Mexico border Thursday and tour with border patrol agents as controversy over his inflammatory remarks about Mexican immigrants continues to draw ire.

Trump, 69, said he was invited to Laredo, Texas, where he will meet with local Border Patrol union leaders, address local law enforcement and speak with reporters at a 2 p.m. press conference.

Laredo is 96 percent Hispanic.

Trump has drawn sharp criticism for characterizing Mexican immigrants as "criminals" and "rapists."

I'm going to the BORDER tomorrow. Will be seeing some really brave people. Look forward to a big day!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 22, 2015

Trump addressed the trip in an interview on "Fox and Friends" Wednesday.

"I've been invited by the border patrols, and they want to honor me, actually. And thousands and thousands of them, because I'm speaking up. These are tremendous people, these are tough people," Trump said. "They want to do the job, and they're not allowed to do their job by the president, essentially, they're not allowed to do their job. And they called me, they want to honor me, and I'll be going very soon."

"I may never see you again, but we're gonna do it," he said.