Judge attacked by Trump has Chicago area roots

A Mexican American federal judge who is the target of Donald Trump attacks has roots in the Chicago area.

The Republican presidential candidate wants to prevent Gonzalo Curiel, a California judge, from presiding over litigation against Trump University because of his Mexican heritage.

Curiel was born and raised in East Chicago, Ind., and began his legal career in northwest Indiana.

Many Latinos want Trump to explain his comments about Curiel saying that he "has been very unfair, has not done a good job, has been a very bad judge, has been very unfair and I will win the Trump University case...I already am...as far as I'm concerned but I will win the Trump University case."

Curiel's court is hearing the lawsuit filed by former Trump University who allege the real estate course was a fraud that bilked millions from enrollees. In court documents, Trump's lawyers claim Curiel -- the son of Mexican immigrants -- is biased against the defendant because of Trump's stand on immigration.

"That's a very offensive charge...and it's without basis," attorney Roy Dominguez, who served two terms as Lake County Sheriff, and was a deputy prosecutor in the 1980s when he knew Curiel as a defense lawyer in northwest Indiana

"As far as Judge Curiel, Donald Trump's comments will not affect the way he'll carry on his job," Dominguez said. "He'll apply the law based upon the evidence that his given to him and the law that applies at that point."

"We're going to build that wall, don't even think about it," Dominguez said.

As Trump, the presumptive Republican nominee, campaigned in California Thursday night, violence erupted as protesters attacked Trump supporters as they left a rally in San Jose.

Dominguez -- also a Mexican American -- said the comments about Judge Curiel will worsen Trump's standing among Latinos.

"It's unfortunate that someone running for president would try to do that to our society and clearly is unfit to be President," Dominguez said.

Curiel has a brother who still lives in Hammond, Indiana. Brother Raul Curiel told ABC7 that his brother is objective and has absolutely no agenda against Trump. He also called Trump a "blowhard."