Indian-American Republican Governor Nikki Haley today faced flak from the supporters of her party's presidential candidate Donald Trump as she cited her family's immigrant experience to warn against rhetoric that could make hard-working people feel unwelcome in the US.

During her nine-minute Republican response to President Barack Obama's last State of the Union address, Haley recounted her own Indian American heritage to call for fixing the country's broken immigration system.

"During anxious times, it can be tempting to follow the siren call of the angriest voices. We must resist that temptation," the South Carolina Governor said.

"No one who is willing to work hard, abide by our laws, and love our traditions should ever feel unwelcome in this country," Haley said without mentioning Trump by name. "We must fix our broken immigration system. That means stopping illegal immigration. And it means welcoming properly vetted legal immigrants, regardless of their race or religion. Just like we have for centuries," Haley said.