Jeb Bush is still trying to explain "anchor babies." He said a week ago that the term is not offensive, which was previously covered by HNGN. He recently dug a deeper hole for himself clarifying that it was not pertinent to all immigrants. Mostly just 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," Bush said on Monday, according to the New York Post. "I think we need to take a step back and chill out a bit as it relates to the political correctness that somehow you have to be scolded every time you say something,"
Hawaiian Democratic Sen. Brian Schatz called upon Bush to "immediately retract his statements and apologize to the Asian community for his insensitive behavior."
The comments made by the Republican presidential candidate "regarding the children of Asian immigrants are derogatory and offensive," Schatz added.
The initial comment by Bush was made during a radio interview when he was asked to respond to Trump's use of the term. He was asked if the term "anchor babies" he recently used in this radio interview could have an impact in gathering Hispanic votes, CNN reported.
The U.S. Constitution's 14th Amendment admits citizenship to those children born on U.S. soil whether their parents are from the U.S. citizens or not. Immigration critics use the term "anchor babies" to label children born in the United States from illegal immigrants. These immigrants usually hail from Latin America and many deem the term offensive.
Hillary Clinton poked at the issue by tweeting:
How about "babies," "children," or "American citizens." https://t.co/ofxEG6Za00
— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) August 20, 2015
"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.
Bush, frustrated with how the issue escalated quickly, said he did not regret his use of the term because he does not know any better term, according to Reuters.
