Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush said Monday that it was "ludicrous" for Democrat Hillary Clinton and others to criticize him for using the term "anchor babies."
"Nothing about what I’ve said should be viewed as derogatory towards immigrants at all, Bush said during a campaign stop in McAllen, Texas, which is near the U.S-Mexico border. "This is all how politics plays. And by the way, I think we need to take a step back and chill out a little bit as it relates to the political correctness that somehow you have to be scolded every time you say something."
Bush explained that he used the term "anchor babies" in reference to a "specific case of fraud being committed."
"Frankly, it’s more related to Asian people," he said.
Online, the Clinton campaign quickly seized on Bush's remarks, arguing that they were still wrong, as did the Democratic super PAC American Bridge.
Whether he meant Latinos, Asians, or other immigrants he's just WRONG https://t.co/9nCdWlZM5h— Mini Timmaraju (@mintimm) August 24, 2015
In one swoop, @JebBush made his "anchor babies" problem worse with Latinos and includes "Asian people" as part of it https://t.co/k6Be7rtgME— American Bridge (@American_Bridge) August 24, 2015
Bush used the term "anchor babies" last week during an interview with a conservative radio host, and was met with resistance from those on the political left.
But Bush argued Monday that his remarks had been taken out of context.
"My background, my life, the fact that I am immersed in the immigrant experience. This is ludicrous for the Clinton campaign and others to suggest that somehow I’m using a derogatory term," he said.