‘Frankly, it’s more related to Asian people’: Jeb Bush says ‘anchor baby’ is not derogatory
Candidate's comments, apparently referencing Chinese 'maternity tourism', stir anger among Asian American activists
US Republican presidential hopeful Jeb Bush said it was ludicrous to describe his use of the term “anchor babies” as offensive to immigrants, saying his original comments referred more to Asians coming to the United States specifically to give birth.
Bush’s remarks came at a news conference in McAllen, Texas, near the border with Mexico, where he was asked whether using the “anchor babies” term in a radio interview last week could affect his ability to win Hispanic votes.
“My background, my life, the fact that I’m immersed in the immigrant experience, this is ludicrous for the Clinton campaign and others to suggest that somehow I’m using a derogatory term,” said Bush, whose wife was born in Mexico and who answered some questions in Spanish,
“What I was talking about was the specific case of fraud being committed where there’s organised efforts – frankly, it’s more related to Asian people coming into our country, having children in that organised effort, taking advantage of a noble concept, which is birthright citizenship,” he said.
The 14th Amendment to the US Constitution grants citizenship to any child born on US soil, regardless of parentage.