anchor baby

American  

[ang-ker bay-bee] / ˈæŋ kər ˌbeɪ bi /

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.

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Usage

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.

Etymology

Origin of anchor baby

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

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