My anchor babies

07/11/07 | TavoNYC

[Theresawithanh]

I remember going on a car trip with my family back in the 1960s. As we were getting out of the car, mom, dad and five kids, a grandmotherly-looking lady made some remark along the lines of “are all of those kids yours?” to my parents. We laughed, because back in our neighborhood we had 3 families who had 8, 10 and 13 kids.

[stephenjohnbanker]

Many Americans have been victimized by illegal immigration. You are a minor victim of the outrage. Live with it.

[cubswinby100]

We have a firm rule at work where I work with a lot of people of Fillipino descent and some of hispanic origin.

English only while working. Any language you want talking in the breakroom but not while working.

One complained “We weren’t talking about work” and the manager said “Wel; then you shouldn’t be TALKING!”

And by the way speaking with these legal immigrants I work with they are angrier than any usual American I know on the issue. They are fed up that after all they went through to get here these illegals cheat the system.

[rockrr]

Am I being overly sensitive about this?

Yes.

[cpdiii]

This is why I don’t understand why there isn’t overwhelming anger on the part of people who became naturalized citizens

There is, however the media has decided to ignore the legal immigrants with the exception of those that speak "politically correct." PC is also called the Democrat National Committee talking points.

[cubswinby100]

I remember one time a few years ago where I was working these girls were talking in spanish and a newcomer as white as white can get said something in spanish to them indicating she knew what they were saying and shut up.

[cubswinby100]

I know quite a few in fact work with about 10 and they are POed beyond belief at the illegals.

[TavoNYC]

As I said, ad hominems are not helpful. It’s an easy way out to say that I’m warping the facts and that therefore you don’t need to deal with what I’m saying. Your choice if that’s what you want to do. I just don’t think this is productive at all.

I am not warping the facts. My statement is correct. I am simply not dealing with the child’s rights as a US citizen. The question to me is whether the parents obtain any rights from having an “anchor baby” or not, not whether the child has or doesn’t have rights as a US citizen. Maybe some people on these forums think a child born to illegal immigrants in the US should not be a US citizen. I disagree, but I’m not discussing this as you are entitled to your opinion. 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.

[art_rocks]

I remember a 60 minutes or 20/20 episode from back in the 90s about anchor babies along the border.

The town wasn’t large about 500 people but the post office had po boxes for about 1000 people. The families had the baby in America, and went back home. The family started collecting benefits for the kid and it would be sent to the PO Box.

[dennisw]

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.

Surely you cannot be serious. You have a demanding job that requires lots of intelligence. 
Many uneducated Mexicans must be smarter than you because they are having anchor babies all the time

You must have missed the Amnesty debates because one reason we cannot deport 20 million illegal aliens is because it will spit up families That's what the Amnesty forces proclaimed

[TavoNYC]

Garden variety rudeness is not what I’m concerned about. Loss of basic civility is.

Your co-workers behavior may be rudeness or it may not. Have you ever lived outside your country for an extended period. What language do you guess you’d be talking to your fellow Americans in under those circumstances? I’ve found myself in this situation many times, among English Speakers and among French speakers. I can tell you that you will (despite your best efforts) tend to switch to your native tongue again and again. It is just hard-wired in your brain.

[DancesWithCats]

Tavo, speaking as an ex-NYer (born & raised), the woman was RUDE ... she had no right to fling a personal, biased, nasty comment your way. I’m guessing that she heard you speaking Spanish and assumed you wouldn’t understand her and so felt at liberty to be a clod. Ignore her. Don’t let it get under your skin. The woman probably went on down the street and passed someone else and made some other rude, nasty, ignorant remark and this is how she gets her sad little jollies. No excuse for bad manners. I’m sorry that you were offended. As my Irish gramma would say, ‘consider the source!’

You came in legal. You’ve worked hard. And you’ve followed the rules. She neither knew any of that nor cared to. She’s a waste of good breath to even bother about.

So there!

[no-to-illegals]

Sir:
It is American nature to be suspicious of those who behave as though there is something else besides the lack of transparency where sometimes something or someone(fear and distortion or a little dramatic writing) portrays itself as victim-hood.

I personally know not whether to give you the benefit of doubt, or convict your writing as just another describing something other than what was written.

I shall not ask to be excused, I am an American, and since you are a citizen, I would ask you behave as an American. I think I ask not too much. Speak our language, if you live here. Teach your children to be Americans, I ask not too much. My children are naturalized (whatever that means) Americans. I ask only your children and my children know what it means to have a common language and a common home called America.

If I chose to live in your former country I would have the decency when in public to speak the language of mexico. (little m - my thoughts of mexico exactly)

Now remember, Americans do not have the right to not be offended. I remember the rest of the world told US so.

[jennyjenny]

Sorry, but I’ve had worse things said to me while walking by a construction site. I don’t think the amount of money I’ve paid in taxes over the last 10 years has anything to do with it.There are rude people all over the world.

Glad you’re here legally.

[Tainan]

My comment wasn't meant as a an insult - nor was my Spanglish.
I am thinking your comments about the gentleman being "well-spoken and legal" might be seen by some as patronizing.
I'm not going to say that, you've clearly shown your desire to speak out regarding what might be an insult here...but some might view them as that way.

Having lived in so cali for 13+ years in my past...be thankful I didn't address the gentleman as " S'Up Esse'"...which, of course would be out of place in such as well presented post...and I would certainly never do.

[Mobile Vulgus]

On the one hand, I do feel for your situation. After all, YOU don’t seem to be the problem here. HOWEVER, you ARE being too sensitive because you must realize that most of your foreign brethren ARE the problem! They abuse their status as a guest to my country every day and this is what the woman who gave you lip on the street is reacting to.

So, you must realize that the American woman you came across is about fed up with people who are like you in being a foreigner. Of course, she could not have known that you were in keeping with our laws, but can you DOUBT that MOST of the people she might confront thus would be in violation of our laws??

So, if you want to stay here you’ll have to realize that this is what you’ll run up against and it ISN’T the fault of the average American, but the fault of our politicians and the foreigners who abuse our system.

In other words, I’m saying LIVE with it or if you don’t like it go home... and take your kids with you!

Otherwise, welcome to my country but understand our frustrations.

[rmlew]

1. You have been in this country for a decade and have only now experienced xenophobia. Consider yourself lucky. It is a natural impulse no less than your indignation.
2. Have you looked at Mexican immigration and naturalization policies?
3. Anchor babies are very real. You and your wife may be here legally, but many are not. For them, their children are anchors, welfare checks, and insurance policies.
3. Do you intend to become an American citizen? If so, why should your children have Mexican passports? Why not speak English to them.
If you don't consider American citizenship important, why should your children have American citizenship?
No offense intended. My father was a citizen when I was born and my mother a permanent resident. They spoke to me in English as a child, although they could easily have used Hebrew. However, becoming an American meant something to them.

[ConservaTexan]

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.

Obviously, xenophobia is wrong and exists everywhere. Are you angry at the single person you encountered, or at your 12+ million fellow Mexican citizens that have violated the laws that you apparently respected? Are you upset at your Mexican government, that encourages and assists your fellow countrymen in their violation of U.S. laws? If people from Mexico did not crimmigrate to the U.S. do you think that this encounter would have occurred?

When 12 people sneak into a country, there would mimimal xenophobia; when 12+ million sneak in, right or wrong, it is likely to increase.

[Global2010]

There are some real idiots in the world.

My son is a quad and some people ask the most personal (after 28 yrs it gets ole) ???? as the wheelchair blinds there sensiblity.

Others are way cool and think before they talk.

I would let it roll off your back and chalk it up to what an a** that person was.

We all face dumb sh**s from time to time.

Be cool. : )

[TavoNYC]

My friend,
I know Americans who’ve lived in Mexico for 20 years and can only speak a few words of Spanish. I know others who speak almost like natives. Guess what language they talk to their kids in? (regardless of where they are and whether they are in front of Spanish speakers or not)... If you guessed English, you guessed right.

Why? Your native tongue is hard-wired in your brain. I think you would do exactly the same thing if you were in my situation. Think about it.