Ben Carson sparks outrage after calling slaves 'immigrants' who came to America with a 'dream'

Ben Carson on Monday likened slaves who came to America centuries ago to modern-day immigrants searching for a better life.

Carson's remarks, his first since being appointed to head HUD by President Donald Trump, outraged social media.

'That's what America is about,' Carson said in remarks which were broadcast live on social media.

The secretary was addressing the federal workers at his department in Washington as well as employees in HUD offices throughout the country.

'A land of dreams and opportunity. There were other immigrants who came here in the bottom of slave ships, worked even longer, even harder for less.' 

'But they, too, had a dream that one day their sons, daughters, grandsons, granddaughters, great grandsons, great granddaughters might pursue prosperity and happiness in this land.'

Those in attendance did not raise any objections to the remark, but on Twitter, however, people were far less forgiving.

Actor Samuel L. Jackson tweeted: 'OK!! Ben Carson....I can't! Immigrants? In the bottom of SLAVE SHIPS??!!'

'MUTHAF***A PLEASE!!!'