DERRY, N.H. (AP) — Republican presidential candidate John Kasich is defending millions of immigrants in the U.S. illegally as "people who are contributing significantly" to the nation.

The second-term Ohio governor took on the divisive issue and promised to redefine conservatism as he courted New Hampshire voters on Wednesday.

Kasich remains one of the lesser-known 17 Republican White House hopefuls. He's trying to capitalize on a strong debate performance last week to challenge former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush and others in New Hampshire.

The state's first-in-the-nation presidential primary is less than six months away.

Kasich dismissed a questioner during an afternoon town hall-style meeting who suggested immigrants in the country illegally are a burden on the system.

He says such immigrants are "some of the hardest working, God-fearing, family-oriented people you can ever meet."