Utah Republican Rep. Mia Love, whose family descended from Haiti, called the president's comments "unkind, divisive [and] elitist."
They "fly in the face of our nation's values," Love added. "This behavior is unacceptable from the leader of our nation."
Fellow Utahan, Sen. Orrin Hatch, a staunch Trump ally, said: "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."