GOP presidential hopeful Jeb Bush claimed on Monday that his use of the term “anchor babies” was not offensive because he was referring to the practice of people, primarily Asians
“What I was talking about was the specific case of fraud being committed, where there’s organized efforts, and frankly it’s more related to Asian people coming into our country having children in that organized effort, taking advantage of a noble concept, which is birthright citizenship,” he said.
“As I said in Spanish, my background, my life, the fact I’ve been immersed in the immigrant experience, this is ludicrous for the Clinton campaign and others to suggest that somehow I’m using a derogatory term,” Bush said Monday.
The term “anchor babies” and the recent wave of Republican presidential candidates calling for an end to birthright citizenship is likely to offend Asian immigrants, just as it offended Hispanic immigrants. Asian-Americans are the fastest growing minority group in the country and are becoming more politically active, making up 3.4 percent of the electorate in 2012. Immigration is one of the top issues for Asian voters, and many of them are beneficiaries of birthright citizenship.
Historically, a lot of anti-immigrant rhetoric and moves to end birthright citizenship have stemmed from a backlash against Asian immigrants. Anti-Chinese sentiment was rampant in the United States in the late 19th century, as many people worried that these "racially inferior" individuals would take jobs away from hardworking Americans. Those fears led to the passage of the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882, which essentially stopped Chinese immigration and barred Chinese residents of the U.S. from becoming citizens.
Officials also tried to stop the American-born children of Chinese immigrants from becoming citizens. But in 1898 the Supreme Court affirmed in United States v. Wong Kim Ark that immigrants' children born in the United States are entitled to citizenship.
I think this issue is a being boiled down to some really idiotic points. Should two immigrants that legally came to the US to reside (through work sponsorship or otherwise) and have a child not have said child granted US citizenship? Of course that kid should be a US citizen. Should a pregnant immigrant come to the US for "vacation" and pop the kid out be granted the same? Well, I'm kind of on the fence about it. It wasn't the child's fault or intention to do this and shouldn't be penalized, but the parents shouldn't be "rewarded" by allowing them to stay.
Of all the things to talk about how the hell did this become an issue?
It is a real issue in some areas. There are houses dedicated to immigrants coming into the country to simply have their baby. Do I think that is the most important issue facing the country? Certainly not, but elections are rarely about that anyway.
Sounds like, "hey, you Hispanics should vote for me, because I speak Spanish. Oh, and I wasn't referring to your anchor babies, it was the, uh, Asian anchor babies. Yeah, that's it." So, now, he's pissed off the Hispanic vote AND the Asian vote.
I want to know an these "Anchor Babies" sponsor their parents' citizenship before they grow up (18+)?
Yay, let's alienate the Asian voting bloc, a traditionally more conservative voting group.
This is probably more of the GOP's philosophy of a "big tent".So, now, he's pissed off the Hispanic vote AND the Asian vote.
I also think he's hoping the Hispanic voting block is stupid enough to believe him. Seems that this draws more attention to his position on anchor babies. And, with that position, it's ludicrous that 10 of the other Republicans are talking about Hispanic anchor babies, and he's the only one okay with them, but having a problem with Asian anchor babies.I guess he figures it's a smaller voting bloc to alienate.
Should a pregnant immigrant come to the US for "vacation" and pop the kid out be granted the same? Well, I'm kind of on the fence about it. It wasn't the child's fault or intention to do this and shouldn't be penalized, but the parents shouldn't be "rewarded" by allowing them to stay.
I want to know what exactly the problem is, other than potential welfare fraud surrounding births. Can these "Anchor Babies" sponsor their parents' citizenship before they grow up (18+)?
In any case, we have now gone from those "illegals who rape and murder Americans," who are allegedly sent by Mexico, to those "rich Asian women who tour to give birth and to buy Louis Vuittons." The two are totally different issues yet there is an unmistakable undercurrent shared by them. I do not feel like spelling it out.
If this is a problem, make a law denying entry into the U.S. to pregnant women, or third trimester pregnant women.
Don't blame the women though, they are just taking advantage of the law in the same way that people take advantage of legal tax loopholes.
Has the entire Republican Party lost their god damn mind? Serious question. Of all the issues facing this country, the entire field is stuck on talking about abortion and hating on immigrants. The entire party has essentially taken the post-mortem analysis after Romney's failed bid and wiped their collective asses with it. How do they possibly think they can win a general election by pissing off every minority group in the country, and a sizable chunk of one gender as well?