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Korean American groups demand Jeb Bush’s apology for ‘anchor baby’ remark

August 28, 2015
Republican presidential candidate, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, talks with Kate Runge and her 16-month-old son Miles, from nearby Gulf Breeze, Fla., after his town hall meeting at the Pensacola Bay Center in Pensacola, Fla., Wednesday Aug. 26, 2015. (AP Photo/Mark Wallheiser)

Republican presidential candidate, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, talks with Kate Runge and her 16-month-old son Miles, from nearby Gulf Breeze, Fla., after his town hall meeting at the Pensacola Bay Center in Pensacola, Fla., Wednesday Aug. 26, 2015. (AP Photo/Mark Wallheiser)

NEW YORK (Yonhap) — Korean American groups demanded Friday that Republican presidential hopeful Jeb Bush apologize for accusing Asian people of abusing the birthright citizenship law.

Bush made the accusation earlier this week in an apparent attempt to mollify Hispanic voters after coming under fire for using the term “anchor baby,” which refers to children born in the U.S. to undocumented parents. The term is widely considered offensive by Hispanics.

Asked whether his use of the term would hurt his support among Hispanics, Bush said he was referring mostly to Asians.

On Friday, Korean American organizations, including the Korean American Civic Empowerment, held a joint press conference in New York and demanded Bush offer an official apology for the “divisive” remark.

The remark raises questions about Bush’s qualifications as a leader, they said, adding that it would be a misfortune for a candidate who openly makes remarks belittling Asian Americans to become president.

One Comment

  1. Chiu Kok-chiung

    August 31, 2015 at 12:31 AM

    Maybe we should not take Jeb Bush so seriously. Despite his father’s
    impressive and prestigious governmental career, Jeb and his older brother, the former rogue president of the United States, were not
    highly educated. Nor were they cultivated by ethical or religious
    education. Then,should we expect them to make judicious, appropriate
    or intelligent remarks? In addition, so far Jeb’s “success” in
    business was all attributable to his father’s or his family’s power
    and influence. I’m doubtful of his success in his current race for
    the White House.

    Reply