My anchor babies

07/11/07 | TavoNYC

[TavoNYC]

Yesterday my wife, my brother and I decided to go to the city (Manhattan -we live in the New Jersey suburbs-) with our two daughters. As we were joyfully strolling down Broadway minding our own business and talking among us (in Spanish, of course, which I'm sure you'll understand is perfectly normal behavior for native speakers of any language when they speak among each other regardless of what country they happen to be in -Americans living in Mexico or France speak English among themselves as they are perfectly entitled to do-), when out of the blue a woman turned to us as we walked pass her and sarcastically referred to my daughters (6 months old and 6 years old) as "anchor babies".

Ny wife and I are Mexican citizens (from Morelia). We came to the New York metro region under a work visa, we've lived here for 10 years and are now US permanent residents. I work in investment banking for a bulge bracket US firm. Needless to say (and yet, here I am feeling compelled to state it) we are law abiding citizens that have paid literally hundreds of thousands of dollars in taxes in the past ten years. Needless to say as well, my current and future immigration status have nothing to do with the fact that my daughter's were born here and (will) have dual citizenship.

I am normally pretty hard skinned, but I have to confess that this made me quite angry. I blurted out a profanity (which of course got me in trouble with my wife for using such language in front of the kids) and told my wife and brother what the woman had just said -apparently I was the only one who actually heard her and in fact, I had to explain what the term "anchor baby" meant as neither my brother nor my wife had heard it-. They were much cooler about it than I was. My 25 year old brother laughed it off: "does she realize where she is?" (New York City, where 40% of the population is foreign born), "I guess she must go around saying this to every other person she meets on the street... I know she'd have to call this to the kids of most of my colleagues on the trading floor".

Am I being overly sensitive about this? I don't think so. Anchor baby is obviously a loaded term. In my culture it's considered impolite to even refer to someone as "he" or "she" instead of by his/her name if that person is present (mothers will correct this with a stern: "el/ella tiene su nombre" ("he/she has a name"). So, I find it beyond rude to refer to a stranger's kid by a label, even if it were a less emotionally loaded one (think about it: how would you feel if a stranger refer to your kids as "child tax credit babies" or something like that?) Calling someone's kids "anchor babies" seems almost unfathomable. (Think of the inherent chauvinism/xenophobia in assuming that because we are speaking a foreign language and look non-American we: a) are here illegally, b) had our babies in the US in order to one day get American citizenship ourselves and live-off the generosity of American tax payers).

I'm not even dealing with politics here, but with mere politeness. What drives an apparently otherwise normal person (I wish I could report that our harraser was an obviously fringe character or displayed obvious signs of ignorance and unsophistication, in fact, she seemed like an average New Yorker) to harrass a person she doesn't know like this? I agree that American style political correctness can at times be almost grotesquely funny, but I much prefer it to insensitive name calling and labelling. Labelling is oftentimes the first step in dehumanizing the "other", which is a dangerous slippery slope (Milgram, the psychologist, in a lesser known variation of his famous -or infamous- experiment, showed that people were much more likely to voluntarily harm a stranger that had done no harm to them if they "accidentally" overheard the researcher using a derisive label in referring to the stranger). I obviously don't want to take this argument too far. I think I am already giving way too much importance to the hateful words of a random stranger as it stands. However, I do think both sides of the immigration debate need to tone down the rethoric. There are clearly valid arguments on both sides, but labelling and name calling are utterly unhelpful and will only lead to further polarization.

As an aside, I think the concept of anchor babies is largely a myth. First of all, having an American baby will not necessarily save an illegal alien from deportation, as it has been clearly established by well publicized cases. Second, an anchor baby cannot really apply for a green card for his/her parents until after he/she is 18. After that, there's usually a long wait of several years before parents can get permanent residence. Finally, having an "anchor baby" does not give the parent rights to receive social security payments, etc. I really don't think that illegal aliens that are having babies in the US are doing so in order to get a green card 30 years down the road. There are other myths that are used by both sides in this debate (another one that comes to mind is that illegal immigrants are draining social security funds, when in fact, it's well documented that the social security administration records a significant amount of social security contributions that were made under a false SSN and therefore cannot be claimed by the people who made such contributions, so illegal immigrants are in fact subsidizing social security). Well, I said I did not want to get into politics. Besides, it's unfair because I'm only giving one side of the argument here. As I've said, there are valid arguments to both sides. I'm all for fair and objective debate of these arguments, but ad hominem attacks and labelling are clearly not constructive.

I realize that in the big scheme of things, these woman's comment is not a big deal. As I said, I'm usually pretty hard skinned, but perhaps the fact that this involved my kids (however tangentially) made me react strongly to this person's insensitivity and prejudice. I too have wondered whether there were other factors that drove this person to act the way she did. I don't tend to divide the world into demons and angels, and know full well that the capacity for evil resides within each of us (I recently read the Lucifer Effect, which deals with this subject). If anything, I blame the rethorical excesses involved in the current immigration debate. I happen to notice the excesses incurred by one of the sides in the debate, simply because I'm much more attuned to the arguments of the other side, but I'm sure both sides engage in this to some degree.

Finally, let me clarify that my rant is in no way intended as an indictment of an entire country. In all fairness I have to say that this is the first time in my 10 years in this country that I've directly experienced something close to xenophobia. I consider myself a New Yorker (after 10 years here you'd expect that) and have many good friends in this city and this country. I also realize that prejudice is, alas, prevalent among different cultures. I've traveled extensively for work and pleasure and have lived and worked in three countries and two continents. I have very good friends in each of those countries. I have encountered many examples of garden-variety rudeness, but fortunately have not personally often seen the ugly face of overt prejudice.

I apologize for the rant. I feel better already.

Thanks,

[Nickname]

Of course they’re happy!

Millions upon millions of Mexico’s poor are now living HERE and sending billions a year back to Mexico!

In the meantime, hard-working, law-abiding, tax-paying American citizens are footing the bills for their housing, medical expenses, educations, crimes, etc.

And I do believe that when you are in another country and able to speak their language, then yes, you have a responsibility to speak your host’s language in public. Quite simply, it is polite.

The woman who insulted you was behaving rudely, but so were you.

[Does so]

Two pauses for thought:

1) How loudly were they speaking?

2) For several months, I had to work an evening shift. At dinner time, I'd join the nearly-all-Cuban cleaning crew. The crew was teaching the lone Haitian immigrant how to speak Spanish.

[Liz]

"I apologize for the rant. I feel better already."

"He" feels better?

Good Lord, what about "us?"

The sense of entitlement these foreigners have is barely disguised by this guy's self-absorbed "rant." It's all about "him, him, him."

Forget US taxpayers footing the bills for him and his 35 cousins here illegally............and THEIR anchor babies.

Wadda you wanna bet behind closed doors the jerk compliments himself for "putting another one over on the Anglo."

[Tainan]

"You’re talking a lot for a guy who essentially said “Too long, didn’t read”

My apologies if I gave the impression that I did not read the entire post. I did...eventually.
As for my verbosity, I simply wanted it clear that I was not insulting the OP.

I usually give folks the benefit of the doubt. Doesn't cost me anything and on occasion I am rewarded.
Such as in this thread. The gentleman, the OP, has started a rather interesting thread that has touched on several different areas and has done so in a very polite and civil manner. Would that all threads were like that...:)

[org.whodat]

And you point is what field marshal?

[Vinnie]

I didn’t read through this whole thread, but in terms of dual citizenship...there is no such thing in the eyes of the US government.

Thank you for making that point. I was going to.

[Malsua]

Mexico has issues indeed. It still is a great country

Is it? Kidnapping rich gringos still considered meaningful employment?

[LonePalm]

Do you mean "Gato?" ;-)

Garde la Foi, mes amis! Nous nous sommes les sauveurs de la République! Maintenant et Toujours!
(Keep the Faith, my friends! We are the saviors of the Republic! Now and Forever!)
LonePalm, le Républicain du verre cassé (The Broken Glass Republican)

[Half Vast Conspiracy]

And you point is what field marshal?

That you should follow your own advice.

Thanks for the promotion, BTW.

[Vinnie]

I think the woman was rude. But..

I don’t see many illegals living in my town and I really am curious about the (many) people who feel they are being run over by illegals.

Let me relate the situation here in Wake Co., N.C.( Raleigh)

The Wake Co. School Board recently had a Bond issue for the people to vote on.

The Board wanted $1.5 Billion for new school construction.

The voters grudgingly gave them $900 Million.

The Board estimated 7300 new students coming into the system.

Of that figure 54% are 'Hispanic', undoubtedly primarily illegals.

Simple arithmetic points out that approx. $450 million will be taxed from homeowners to accommodate illegals.

That is for school construction alone. Aside all the other expenses.

Another illustration.

My wife works for the school system.
One of her co-workers is a Mexican immigrant, don't know her status.
She is having a baby next month.
She told my wife that she and her boyfriend are waiting to marry until after the baby is born.
Why?
If they marry before the birth, Medicaid won't pay the expense.

Just curious..

Does Mexico have a Social Security program? And if so, are foreign national living and working in Mexico eligible?

[raybbr]

In my culture it's considered impolite to even refer to someone as "he" or "she" instead of by his/her name if that person is present (mothers will correct this with a stern: "el/ella tiene su nombre" ("he/she has a name").

This, I suspect, is the crux of your rant. You claim your "culture" should be respected and understood by people not of your culture. That's a pretty endemic belief held by many immigrants of your "culture" hence the demand for documents and communication in spanish.

Regardless of your perceived rudeness displayed by woman you insist that your "culture" is inherently more civilized than the one you find yourself currently living in.

Also, based on your job description, you are clearly an anomaly of your culture. I suspect you come from the privileged class in mexico and, like most of them, either ignore the horrors of your home country or leave them so that you may not be faced with them on a daily basis.

[raybbr]

Wadda you wanna bet behind closed doors the jerk compliments himself for "putting another one over on the Anglo."

Hah! Good one!

Scroll up to see my response to this "poor Mexican stuck living in American rudeness and misunderstanding".

Nice to "see" you agian!

[2ndDivisionVet]

Demand a border fence! Build it NOW!! Beef up the border patrol and close our borders!

U.S. Senate switchboard: (202) 224-3121

U.S. House switchboard: (202) 225-3121

White House comments: (202) 456-1111

Find your House Rep.: http://www.house.gov/writerep

Find your US Senators: http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm

Toll free to the US Senate:

1-800-882-2005. (Spanish number)
1-800-417-7666. (English number)

Courtesy of a pro-amnesty group, no less!!

Republican National Committee
310 First Street, SE Washington, D.C. 20003
phone: 202.863.8500 | fax: 202.863.8820 | e-mail: info@gop.com

Take a look at their hidden agenda: http://www.mexica-movement.org

[Mn_PatriotGuard]

Why is this even a thread?You should be mad at illegal aliens who come here and ruin it for legal law abiding citizens.
I dont blame the woman one bit for openly expressing rage.Sorry it was you.Id have no problem with insulting illegals.

[television is just wrong]

what he is saying is crap. SSN benes are going to be made available to illegal aliens even though they used false id’s. Bush, Kennedy and all the new world order people in washington are seeing to it.

I have a ex-relation from marriage, came from Iran never worked a day in this country, used his work record from Iran and is here collecting full benefits as if he had worked in the U.S. and yes, we are all expected to pay for this.

the anchor baby is a weight that holds these illegal aliens here. politicians are always talking about not wanting to separate families and the fact that these babies are american citizens.

this person doesn’t no anything.

[television is just wrong]

what he is saying is crap. SSN benes are going to be made available to illegal aliens even though they used false id’s. Bush, Kennedy and all the new world order people in washington are seeing to it.

I have a ex-relation from marriage, came from Iran never worked a day in this country, used his work record from Iran and is here collecting full benefits as if he had worked in the U.S. and yes, we are all expected to pay for this.

the anchor baby is a weight that holds these illegal aliens here. politicians are always talking about not wanting to separate families and the fact that these babies are american citizens.

this person doesn’t no anything.

[Liz]

In my culture .....it's considered impolite to even refer to someone as "he" or "she" .........

In "their culture".......

Oh please. These self-absorbed invaders make themselves look superior by denigrating America and Americans.

All Americans are supposed to bow down and worship "their culture."

And if Americans don't, they'll send "their" culture's camouflage-clad federales with shoulder holsters and amnno clips to make us.

These invaders want to morph America into a Third World hellhole, like the ones they came from.

These people should remember: this is America---- do it our way or GTH out.

[Polybius]

If those Chinese today are having anchor babies and having the American taxpayer pay for it, I am unaware of it. Ditto welfare. Ditto wholesale illegal entries. What's your point?

The posted thread deals with the personal experience of a Freeper, TavoNYC, that was insulted on a public street for speaking Spanish with his own wife and brother, in New York City of all places, where, for over a century and a half, foreign languages on a New York street are as "New York" as the word "Knickerbocker".

So, what exactly is your point?

That, today, if I speak Chinese in New York City, that is O.K. but, if I speak Spanish in New York City, that is un-American because you are angry at Mexican illegals?

When my uncle was speaking in Spanish in the situation I described in Post 170, was he less of an "American" than you?

As I said in Post 170: Why don't we just stick to the issues of illegality and loyalty to America and leave whatever language we damn well please to talk amongst our family out it.

[org.whodat]

Why did you wast all that space posting all those silly ass pictures?

The little woman's grandmother is Lebanese, her grand father forbid anyone in his family from speaking anything but English when he became a citizen. He lived in new york he was a proud American.

[norton]

1. I’m just simply making my comment from the mainstream and well established common law view that a child born in these circumstances is indeed a US citizen."

Wrong; Anchor babies are not found in 'common law'. They result from a misinterpretation of a specific amendment to the Constitution meant to assure the rights of former slaves. They result from years and years of our disregarding border sovereignty in order to allow free intercourse between closely related border regions - and the craven abuse of that privilege by a more recent blight of urban jetsam that has proven highly profitable to the mexican government. The concept of dual citizenship in this relationship is a tool of the mexican government that the USA should firmly restore to the "not recognized" bin - by revoking US privileges to anyone claiming duality. The Fourteenth Amendment should similarly be restored to the original intent by stripping citizenship from those born here of even one illegal parent.

You are both a part of FR and in this country legally and I respect both but:
(1) Yes you are being overly sensitive.
(2) After ten years here you should have noted that English is the primary language and the language you would use in any shop in NY other than as a politeness to someone else who lacked proficiency. It IS discourteous to speak Spanish among yourselves in a crowd of 'other speakers' when you are capable of speaking their principal tongue and have been granted the privilege of living and working here.
(3) As others here have noted, having gone through the hoops and apparently having skills that are of value to your US employer, I cannot believe that you are concerned about one person in NYC and silent on the hordes of criminals that granted her license to make an equally discourteous comment to you.
(4) "Mijo" and "Mija" (sp?), "Nino" and "Nina" certainly do denote gender and that whole commentary is gratuitous.

I'd get deeper into the daily societal impact of illegal immigration on US citizens but I might have relatives reading this; happy to FR mail it to you if you need a case study.