NJ governor Chris Christie and Maine governor Paul LePage have also backed Trump in the last few days

Former Arizona governor Jan Brewer endorsed Donald Trump's campaign for president on Saturday, praising his strong remarks on illegal immigration.

In a prepared statement, she said: 'For years I pleaded with the federal government to do their job and secure our border. Today, we can elect a president who will do just that — Donald J Trump.

'Mr Trump will secure our borders, defend our workers and protect our sovereignty. Mr Trump will stand for our law enforcement, our police and our immigration officers. Mr Trump will actually enforce the rule of law.'

Backing: Former Arizona governor Jan Brewer (pictured, left) has given Donald Trump her backing, saying she supports his plans to reduce illegal immigration

Brewer's enthusiasm for Trump's anti-illegal-immigration policies, which most famously include a wall separating the US from Mexico, should be no surprise since her time as governor of Arizona from 2009-2015 saw her taking a hardline stance against immigrants.

In 2010 she oversaw the passage of Arizona Senate Bill 1070, which was aimed at preventing illegal immigration.

Parts of the law were deemed unconstitutional by the Supreme Court, including making it illegal for 'unauthorized immigrants' to fail to carry registration papers and ID, and for people not authorized to work in the US to apply for, solicit or perform work.

However, a controversial provision allowing police to check a person's immigration status while they were enforcing other laws was left in.

'Honored': Trump, pictured here on the stump in Tennessee, said that he was 'honored' by the governor's endorsement. 'I love the state of Arizona and have received incredible support throughout the state,' he said

President Obama's administration was particularly critical of the law, revoking previous agreements for Arizona police departments to enforce federal immigration laws, while the Justice Department set up a hotline for those who thought enforcement of the law was impinging on their civil rights.

At the time, CNN reported, Brewer called the decision 'outrageous,' and her statement suggests that she does not remember those times fondly.

Calling Trump a 'Washington outsider,' she wrote: 'Arizona’s unsecured border is the gateway of illegal immigration into the United States and the politicians in Washington DC have continually failed to secure our border.

'As I’ve always said: A nation without borders is like a house without walls — it collapses.'

She added: 'This may be our last chance to ensure our children grow up in a country with borders, and with a government that protects its own people. This is our chance — Donald Trump is our chance — to save this country and make America great again.'

Further support: Trump has also received endorsements from New Jersey governor Chris Christie (pictured left, at Trump's Tennessee appearance) and Maine governor Paul LePage (right)

In the statement, Trump commented: 'I love the state of Arizona and have received incredible support throughout the state. I am leading in all the polls and we have had amazing events with tremendous crowds. I am honored to receive this endorsement from governor Brewer.'

Brewer isn't the only one to support The Donald, with both Maine governor Paul LePage and New Jersey governor Chris Christie giving him their backing on Friday.

However, Christie was swiftly sent packing by Trump on Saturday after making a ringing endorsement of the candidate in Tennessee, causing one person on Twitter to say it was the political equivalent of leaving the money on the nightstand.

ABC News also pointed out that Brewer was the third 'high-profile' Arizona figure to endorse Trump of late, after Maricopa County sheriff Joe Arpaio and Arizona State treasurer Jeff DeWit both endorsed the candidate last month.