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Jeb Bush Defends Use of Controversial Term “Anchor Babies”

HeadlineAug 21, 2015

In news from the campaign trail, Republican presidential candidate Jeb Bush has said he does not regret using the term “anchor babies” during a radio interview on Wednesday. In the interview, he said he supports the 14th Amendment, which guarantees people born on American soil are automatically U.S. citizens, but that he wants more enforcement to protect against so-called anchor babies. Jeb Bush responded to questions from reporters Thursday.

Reporter 1: “Do you regret using the term 'anchor babies' yesterday on the radio?”

Jeb Bush: “No, I didn’t. I don’t. I don’t regret it.”

Reporter 1: “You don’t regret it?”

Jeb Bush: “No. Do you have a better term?”

Reporter 1: “I’m not—I’m asking you.”

Jeb Bush: “OK, you give me—you give me a better term, and I’ll use it. I’m serious.”

Reporter 1: “Governor, Governor”—

Jeb Bush: “Don’t yell at me behind my ear, though.

Reporter 1: “Sorry about that.”

Reporter 2: “Is that not bombastic language, 'anchor baby'? Is that not bombastic language?”

Jeb Bush: “No, it isn’t. Give me another—give me another word.”

In response, Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton tweeted: “How about 'babies,' 'children,' or 'American citizens?'”

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