anchor baby

[ang-ker bey-bee]

noun

Disparaging and Offensive.

1. a term used to refer to a baby born to an undocumented mother in a country where the baby becomes a citizen at birth, especially when the birth is planned to facilitate eventual legal residency for the family.

Word History and Origins

Origin of anchor baby¹

First recorded in 1995–2000; from the parents' intent to “anchor” themselves and not be deported

When To Use

What does anchor baby mean?

An anchor baby is an offensive slang term for a child intentionally born in the United States from a foreign mother so the child receives U.S. citizenship, and so the family can get residency.