Univision

Presidential hopeful Donald Trump has gotten plenty of backlash for his negative comments about the Latino community and, after his recent altercation with Univision journalist Jorge Ramos, the "Livin' La Vida Loca" singer has taken it upon himself to speak up against the candidate.

Martin has penned a powerful op-ed for Univision urging fellow Latinos to stand up and fight against Trump's "xenophobia" (intense or irrational dislike or fear of people from other countries).

The GOP businessman issued a statement Monday responding to critics in and out of his party. Trump called Mexican immigrants criminals and rapists as he launched his presidential bid last month.

Several businesses, including NBC, Univision and Macy's department stores, have cut ties with Trump.

In his new statement, Trump says "the Mexican government is forcing their most unwanted people into the United States." In many cases, he says, they are "criminals, drug dealers, rapists, etc."

The suit against Univision for dropping the Miss USA and Miss Universe pageants claims breach of contract, defamation and First Amendment violations, and contends Univision turned on him because it supports Democrat Hillary Rodham Clinton for president.

Univision said Thursday it would pull the plug on its Spanish-language coverage of the pageant July 12 by its UniMas network. It also has severed its business relationship with the Miss Universe Organization, which produces the Miss USA pageant, due to what it called "insulting remarks about Mexican immigrants" by Trump, a part owner of Miss Universe.