Thread: 'Anchor Baby' Phrase Has Controversial History

'Anchor Baby' Phrase Has Controversial History
Examining the Nickname the Media Uses to Describe a Proposed Law in Arizona
By NATHAN O'NEAL

July 3, 2010—

It has been dubbed by the news media as the Arizona "anchor baby" bill, referring to U.S-born children of illegal immigrants used to 'anchor' the parents in the country.

State Sen. Russell Pearce and Rep. John Kavanagh, both Republicans, intend to formally introduce the bill when the state legislature reconvenes in January. If passed, the law would directly challenge the 14th Amendment's citizenship clause, reversing a standing interpretation that grants the citizenship to all people born on U.S. soil.

When the proposal hit the national stage, a stream of news coverage followed. And the term "anchor baby" appeared in stories by TIME, The Arizona Republic, on the major cable news networks, local television news networks and in a column in The Washington Post.

Some politicians, including former Rep. Virgil Goode (R-Va.), have also used the term. During a September 2008 speech, he advocated fixing the "anchor baby situation."

Pearce, who sponsored Arizona's controversial immigration bill known as SB1070, told the Arizona Republic last month that, "the 'anchor baby' thing needs to be fixed ... Anchor babies are an unconstitutional declaration of citizenship to those born of non-Americans. It's wrong, and it's immoral."

As for Kavanaugh, although he told ABCNews.com that 'anchor baby' is an accurate term, he also said that he himself doesn't use it.

But the phrase is angering some groups, including the National Association of Hispanic Journalists.

"The coverage the press provides can help or it can hinder," the NAHJ said in a release earlier this week. "Using terms like 'illegal alien,' 'illegals' as a noun, and 'anchor babies' is dehumanizing and by their bias and loaded nature, eliminate any semblance of fairness when covering the [immigration] debate."

There has been a history of controversy over the term.

LaDawn Haglund, assistant professor of Justice and Social Inquiry at Arizona State University, speculated that "the term 'anchor baby' probably came from the term 'anchor children,' which was used in reference to children of Vietnamese [immigrants] after the Vietnam war."

In 2007, former San Diego, Calif. North County Times columnist Raoul Contreras criticized the paper's decision to use the term 'anchor babies:' "Today's North County Times readers can't find an article that uses the infamous N-word, the Q-word (queer) or words like 'homo' for homosexual," he wrote in his commentary. "What they find is the use of the words 'anchor babies' in letters or opinion pieces."

And in August of 2006, Chicago Tribune columnist Eric Zorn received two complaints from readers after he called for the arrest and deportation of a woman holding sanctuary in a Chicago church. Zorn referred to her child as an "anchor baby." Zorn argued that the term had appeared in newspaper stories since 1997 "usually softened by quotations as in my column." He said in a subsequent column that he regretted his use of the phrase and promised not to use it again.

'Anchor Babies' Label Draws Criticism

Jaime Figueroa's parents were illegal immigrants but he is a citizen because he was born in Phoenix, Ariz. Today Figueroa, 28, is working at a Discount Tire store and studying computer information systems at DeVry University, working to make a future for himself. He worries about the proposed 'anchor baby' law that would target children of illegal immigrants, and he's especially put off by the 'anchor baby' label.

"It sounds like the act of having the child is not ... conceived out of love, but conceived out of benefit," Figueroa said.

Argelin Gomez, chief operating officer for non-profit group Chicanos por la Causa, said, "the use of 'anchor babies' is derogatory and it lends itself to hate and racism."

But some who want to stop illegal immigration and lobby for more restrictive immigration policies disagree. Ira Mehlman, spokesman for the Federation for American Immigration Reform described the argument against using the term 'anchor babies' as "sort of like the issue of illegal aliens versus undocumented workers."

Mehlman said although he acknowledges some people take offense to the term, FAIR does not have a strong objection to it.

"Language does have meaning. The idea of anchor babies, at least for some people, is perfectly legitimate," Mehlman said. "They are making a special effort to come here to claim some kind of benefit."

Of course, using short phrases to invoke immediate public reaction is something politicians are known for. "It's very succinct. These are called labels of primary potency ... a term that goes straight to the gut," said Don Nilsen, a socio-linguist and professor at Arizona State University. "Conservatives are very, very good at using metaphors and defining people in their own terms, and they use it to their advantage."

But this language tactic isn't something unique to Republicans.
Crafty Labels for Proposed Legislation

Democrats, such as Rep. Rush Holt of New Jersey, also use tactical language when proposing legislation. Holt's proposal, known as the Big Oil Bailout Prevention Act of 2010 would boost the amount oil companies would be asked to pay for economic damages resulting from an oil spill from a $75 million cap to $10 billion. The bill's title aims to drum up public support by promising to prevent "big oil" from getting a "bailout" (words that currently have a negative connotation).

And on the subject of abortion, another hot button issue just like immigration, the liberal label 'pro-choice' stands in stark contrast with the conservative label 'pro-abortion.'

The 'anchor baby' proposal comes at a time when immigration issues have thrust Arizona onto the national stage, with its controversial and tough immigration law set to go into effect July 29.

For Jaime Figueroa, a new bill targeting children of illegal immigration strikes a personal note.

"It's sad and it's angering," Figueroa said. "It's like stabbing me in the heart when I see things like this. All we can do is just pray. Just pray for what's going on."

The "anchor baby" law's co-sponsor, Rep. John Kavanagh said eliminating automatic citizenship to children of illegal immigrants will help combat the "illegal immigration problem."

"We have not finalized the bill yet and we are not settled upon the tactic we will use to trigger a federal lawsuit that will hopefully go to the U.S. Supreme Court," Kavanagh said. "But it will probably center on the way we issue birth certificates."

http://oneoldvet.com/

http://abcnews.go.com

"It sounds like the act of having the child is not ... conceived out of love, but conceived out of benefit," Figueroa said.

If it walks like a duck . . .

"It sounds like the act of having the child is not ... conceived out of love, but conceived out of benefit," Figueroa said.

You don't say!!!!! This guy must be on the Dean’s list at DeVry…

Originally Posted by ReggieMay

"It sounds like the act of having the child is not ... conceived out of love, but conceived out of benefit," Figueroa said.

If it walks like a duck . . .

Young daughters are being used to anchor an entire family and get benefits for a house full of siblings and parents (legal guardians) of the anchor mother.

Dixie

The Democrats wont cooperate with this one.

It wont have a chance on a national stage until after November when we can get a little more control back over our Government...

Until then DO NOT let the Democrats write any more destructive legislature...

Oh Boo Hoo. The Chicano group thinks Anchor Baby is derogatory but they LOVE calling us Red Necks,Nativist,Racist etc..

If the "Anchor Baby Shoe Fits" then wear it !

U.S. born children of illegals are now starting to have children. My daughter knows of a thirteen year old Hispanic girl expecting a baby any day. Many of these anchor babies will be continuing the cultural traditions, including early child bearing, of their illegal alien parents.

The ILLEGALS continue the invasion with the Abuse of the 14th Amendment to create an Anchor for U.S. Citizens to furnish benefits! The Elitist Politicians and Elitist Contributors are socializing benefits to the ILLEGALS for the ILLEGAL EMPLOYERS, veiled as social programs for U. S. Citizens, on the backs of U.S. Citizens through our assets such as the Education System, Social Security, and Health Care not to mention our National Security while privatizing the profits for themselves! The reason the ILLEGALS have the Anchors, furnishing a opportune SOB story, is to stay in the U.S. to receive the benefits, their Anchors are nothing more than throwaways for their agenda; if they were important to the parents they would take their children with them when they returned to their HOME countries . They do not want to be Citizens of the U.S. only to the extent that it would allow the ILLEGALS to remain in the U.S. for our tax money and they will return south of the border as soon as they have drained the U.S. Dry.

"It sounds like the act of having the child is not ... conceived out of love, but conceived out of benefit," Figueroa said.

Mexicans have twice as many children in the US as they do in Mexico. There must be some benefit in them doing so, otherwise they wouldn't do it.

Also I have seen stories where illegal mothers say their spawn is "my little anchor". So it's OK for them to say it, but not for us to repeat it?

How about instead we call them "benefit babies"?

Argelin Gomez, chief operating officer for non-profit group Chicanos por la Causa, said, "the use of 'anchor babies' is derogatory and it lends itself to hate and racism."

You are absolutely correct, Argelin, they need to stop using anchor babies and start going through legal procedures for entering the USofA.