anchor baby
[ ang-ker bey-bee ]
nounDisparaging and Offensive.
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.
Origin of anchor baby
1First recorded in 1995–2000; from the parents' intent to “anchor” themselves and not be deported
Words Nearby anchor baby
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use anchor baby in a sentence
Have a kid here –what some pejoratively refer to as an “anchor baby” – and it is tougher to be deported.
The Progressive Case Against Birthright Citizenship | Keli Goff | December 15, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTSo Cruz had it whether he wanted it or not—and he could, in fact, have been considered a Canadian anchor baby.
The recall may be the only way to stop the "anchor baby" bill; passage of the legislation is likely a slam dunk.
anchor baby n. an American-born child of illegal immigrants.
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