After listening to Ricardo Aca’s story, an undocumented immigrant who works at one of Donald Trumps hotels in New York City, we wrote about what Republicans are saying about DACA — and how they would deport people who, like Ricardo, qualify for the popular deferred action program.
In recent days, the derogatory term “anchor babies” has resurfaced amongst the 2016 Republican candidates. This is the latest attack from those seeking to become the next President of the United States, most of whom are also taking aim at “birthright citizenship,” a right conveyed by the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution to individuals born in this country.
Here is a summary of where Republican presidential candidates stand on birthright citizenship, and who is using a derogatory term to refer to U.S. citizens:
Jeb Bush on Birthright Citizenship:
Jeb! has been one of the few Republican candidates to defend birthright citizenship.
“The courts have ruled that it’s part of the 14th Amendment of our Constitution, and my belief is that it ought to stay that way, that this is part of our noble heritage.”
On U.S. Born Children:
Yet, Jeb Bush has invoked a term so offensive that I refuse to use it more than once on this post. Ironically enough, Bush seems to have forgotten that he once denounced the use of this type of terminology:
2013 Bush: Don’t use the term “anchor baby”
2015 Bush: “I don’t regret it,” when by a reported on his use of the term
Donald Trump on Birthright Citizenship:
According to Donald Trump, birthright citizenship remains “remains the biggest magnet for illegal immigration.”
On U.S. Born Children:
During a New Hampshire town hall, Donald Trump stated “I’ll use the word anchor baby.”
Rick Santorum on Birthright Citizenship:
“Just because someone was born here doesn’t — even under the 14th amendment doesn’t necessarily mean that they have rights to citizenship.”
Ted Cruz on Birthright Citizenship:
“We should end granting automatic birthright citizenship to the children of those who are here illegally,”
Nevermind that Senator Cruz once state that it would be a “mistake” to try to end birthright citizenship.
Rand Paul on Birthright Citizenship:
In 2011, Paul introduced a resolution that stated “a person born in the United States to illegal aliens does not automatically gain citizenship.”
Marco Rubio on Birthright Citizenship:
“I am open to exploring ways of not allowing people who are coming here deliberately for that purpose to acquire citizenship.”
Bobby Jindal on Birthright Citizenship:
“We need to end birthright citizenship for illegal immigrants.”
And this is just a snapshot of where Republicans stand on the issue. As the election cycle progresses, it is important to remember that political positions that attack U.S. born citizens will not sit well with Latinos, immigrants, and other constituency groups.
On the same note, the rhetoric and hate speech that is being used on the campaign has consequence. Already Donald Trump “fans” morphed anti-immigrant attacks into violence, having beaten a Mexican-American man in Boston.
How low will the GOP sink on this issue?
