SALT LAKE CITY — Rep. Mia Love demanded that President Donald Trump apologize Thursday for the vulgar term he used to describe her parents' home country of Haiti and other nations during a discussion on immigration.

"The president’s comments are unkind, divisive, elitist and fly in the face of our nation’s values. This behavior is unacceptable from the leader of our nation," she said.

Love said her parents proudly took the oath of allegiance to the United States and took on all the responsibilities that come with being a citizen when they immigrated from Haiti.

"They never took a thing from our federal government. They worked hard, paid taxes and rose from nothing to take care of and provide opportunities for their children. They taught their children to do the same. That’s the American dream," she said.

"The president must apologize to both the American people and the nations he so wantonly maligned."

The Washington Post reported that Trump grew frustrated with lawmakers Thursday in the Oval Office when they floated restoring protections for immigrants from Haiti, El Salvador and African countries as part of a bipartisan immigration deal, according to two people briefed on the meeting.

"Why are we having all these people from s---hole countries come here?” Trump said, referring to African countries and Haiti, according to the two sources. He then suggested that the United States should instead bring more people from countries like Norway, whose prime minister he met Wednesday.

Trump's remark:

Trump references foreign countries with vulgar language during immigration meeting

The White House did not deny the comment.

Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, a close Trump ally, called on the president to explain his remarks.

"I look forward to getting a more detailed explanation regarding the president’s comments. Part of what makes America so special is that we welcome the best and brightest in the world, regardless of their country of origin," Hatch said in a tweet from his office.

State Rep. Brian King, D-Salt Lake City, said Trump's comment shows he is a racist.

"Not everyone who supports Trump is a racist. But he attracts a disproportionate share of racists to support him. The reason is simple: Donald Trump is a racist," he said in a tweet.

King called Trump a "poisonous influence" on the country, the rule of law, common decency and fundamental moral values.

"When we see fundamental indecency and immorality, especially in high places, we need to stand up and SAY SOMETHING," he tweeted.

Independent president candidate and BYU graduate Evan McMullin harshly criticized Trump on Twitter.

"The president’s measure of human beings, immigrants or otherwise, is un-American. I’ll take a downtrodden Haitian, Salvadoran or African who hungers for and will defend freedom and opportunity in America over a privileged bigot who’d sell our liberty to the highest bidder any day," he said.

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