Trump revives hardline immigration stance in Phoenix speech

US presidential candidate Donald Trump has put to bed any doubts surrounding his immigration policies by reinforcing his previous stance of deporting all illegal immigrants, and forcing Mexico to build a southern border wall.

In a campaign speech given in Phoenix, Arizona, just hours after meeting with Mexican president Enrique Peña Nieto, Trump gave a thunderous performance as he goes for broke in an attempt to defeat Democrat rival Hillary Clinton.

Despite comments to the contrary from Peña Nieto after their meeting in Mexico City, Trumped claimed that if he enters the White House he will immediately begin plans for the construction of a border wall that Mexico will pay for.

"We will build a great wall along the southern border," Trump began. After a long pause amid a chorus of applause, he continued "and Mexico will pay for the wall - 100%."

Despite claiming that every person residing in the United States would be treated with "great dignity", the Republican nominee's hardline approach prevailed.

"Anyone who has entered the United States illegally is subject to deportation"

"Anyone who has entered the United States illegally is subject to deportation. That is what it means to have laws," he said.

His campaign had recently toyed with the idea of softening his tone on immigration as he lags behind Clinton in polls, but clearly a decision has been made to go for all or nothing.

The New York tycoon went into further detail on his "extreme vetting" process for choosing the best immigrants to be allowed to enter the US.

"Applicants will be asked for their views about honour killings, about respect for women and gays and minorities, attitudes on radical Islam," he said.

Trump's reversion to the stance that proved successful during his run in the Republican primaries is likely to be built upon in the coming weeks and months, ahead of the election on November 8.