Jeb Bush’s problem isn’t just his last name. It’s his racial insensitivity.
At a press conference on Monday, Jeb Bush said that the term “anchor babies” is “more related to Asian people coming into our country.”
The use of this type of derogatory term that invokes xenophobia has no place in any debate on immigration, regardless of how it is applied or to whom it is applied. No candidate should ever use racially-charged language to score cheap political points in America.
Unfortunately, this is not the first time that a Republican candidate has used such offensive words and tactics in a campaign. And, for Jeb Bush, touting his own family’s diversity does not give him a free pass in using this kind of discriminatory remarks in referring to any immigrant of any background.
Thus, on behalf of the California Democratic Party Asian Pacific Islander Caucus, we condemn Jeb Bush’s racially-charged comment on the Asian American and Pacific Islander community and the immigrant community at large.
As we work toward sensible and comprehensive immigration reform, we must work to make sure that this type of offensive attitude, behavior, and language is not part of the equation.
Clark Lee
State Chair, Asian Pacific Islander Caucus
California Democratic Party
Asian Pacific Islander Caucus 