Definition: The term "anchor babies" is used by anti-immigrant commentators to refer to children born in the United States to undocumented parents. These children, like all people born in the United States, are considered natural-born citizens under U.S. law.
Some of these commentators have suggested that large numbers of undocumented women bear these children solely as "anchors" to prevent their own deportation, a claim that appears suspect for two reasons:
This would allow the government to legally deport "anchor babies" at any point in their lives, regardless of their own level of knowledge regarding their parents' documentation status. Because of the difficult process involved in amending the Constitution, it is unlikely that this revision will ever be enacted.
Because the term "anchor babies" is dehumanizing and has sometimes been used as an ethnic slur, it is often considered offensive in Latino communities.
Some of these commentators have suggested that large numbers of undocumented women bear these children solely as "anchors" to prevent their own deportation, a claim that appears suspect for two reasons:
- There is no evidence that undocumented women are actually using this strategy.
- There is no reason to believe that this strategy would be a reliable way to avoid deportation.
This would allow the government to legally deport "anchor babies" at any point in their lives, regardless of their own level of knowledge regarding their parents' documentation status. Because of the difficult process involved in amending the Constitution, it is unlikely that this revision will ever be enacted.
Because the term "anchor babies" is dehumanizing and has sometimes been used as an ethnic slur, it is often considered offensive in Latino communities.
