Residents of one Southern California suburb are mad as hell about "anchor babies" and they are not going to take any more. They are standing united in protest against a hilltop home that they believe is serving as a maternity center for Chinese mothers who are paying thousands of dollars, to give birth to their babies here in the United States.
An "anchor baby" is a baby born to non-American citizens in the United States in order to gain American citizenship. It is a practice that infuriates many, including the residents of this California town where many of these mothers live until they give birth.
The pregnant Chinese women have come here legally on tourist visas, and will remain until they give birth. It's easy to see why people are upset. But, as a mom, I feel differently. After all, what mom doesn't want the best for her child?
I'd be willing to bet that most people would be willing to leave everything they knew and everyone they loved just to give birth in a place that would provide a better life for their child. Isn't that what every mother wants?
If your child were destined to be born in a country that kills its female babies or in a country so war torn that they only had a 25 percent chance of surviving to adulthood, wouldn't you try to get them somewhere safe?
If you knew the only way your child had a chance at a life free from terror, fatal poverty or even a fighting chance at survival, wouldn’t you go through hell and high water to get to a place where their life could be spared?
I don’t know for sure that “anchor babies” are why these women are staying in this hilltop hotel but, really, would it be so wrong? We can’t fault another mother for wanting the exact same life for her children that we want for ours.
I would do anything and everything to make sure that my children had all the good that the world had to offer, no matter the sacrifice. Even if it meant leaving my life behind. I would do that for my children. These women would, too. Can we fault them for that?
What lengths would you be willing to go to in make sure that your child is safe?
Image via Eden in China/Flickr
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Comments 64
Well said tuffymama! I couldn't agree more. One does not deserve the benefits that this country can offer and the perks of being an American citizen if one doesn't respect the laws. End of story.
Nice article, made me think from a different viewpoint. I had never before considered that. A case of survival for your unborn child? I would do anything.
Women like this should be deported ASAP and their babies (who are american citizens) should remain here. After all, they deserve all the benefits of being an american. Those mothers should welcome the opportunity to better their children's lives.
They should follow the laws, however. Good point on that.
"The law is reason-free from passion" - Aristotle
These aren't poor, desperate women wanting to give their children a better life. These sound like women who have access to a lot of money - for a plane ticket, for a long stay in the States, for medical care, and possible thousands to stay at this place.
It's hard to have sympathy for them, when it sounds like they already are in pretty good shape and are just trying to 'one up' everyone else in their country by giving their child an even greater advantage.
Part of me does sympathize. And at this point our country allows it. I do think this is another thing that needs to change though. Being born in the US is a lot simpler then it was hundreds of years ago. People arriving here and having their children were here long term, to live and settle down. It wasn't really possible to purposely plan a birth here.
It sounds like these women are well off enough that they can pay to be here legally if need be. If you want our benefits that our taxes pay...pay our taxes.