Jeb Bush defends ‘anchor baby’ use, at times in Spanish

Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush said Monday it’s “ludicrous” that Democrats are attacking him for using the term “anchor baby” last week while talking about illegal immigration.

“This is all how politics is played. And by the way, I think we all need to take a step back and chill out a little bit as it relates to the political correctness, that somehow you have to be scolded every time you say something,” said the Republican presidential candidate.

Speaking in English just as much as in Spanish, Bush took questions from reporters here in the border town of McAllen, Texas, where earlier in the day he held a private roundtable meeting with local elected officials, community leaders, state representatives and members of law enforcement.

His visit comes just days after Democrats, including Hillary Clinton, blasted Bush for using the term “anchor baby,” a phrase referring to children who are born in the country to parents who came into the country illegally. It’s widely considered offensive by Latinos.

Bush first used the term during a radio interview Thursday morning, calling for “greater enforcement” to address the issue of “anchor babies, as they’re described.”

A day later, he staunchly defended his use of the word, saying it wasn’t his preferred choice and challenged reporters to give him a better word.

“What I said is that it’s commonly referred to that. I didn’t use it as my own language,” he said.

RELATED: Hispanic Republicans defend Jeb Bush over ‘anchor baby’

But Texas Democratic Party Chairman Gilberto Hinojosa said in a statement Monday that Bush’s use of the term is “disgusting and that he “owes million of U.S. citizens, Latinos, and immigrants an apology.”

Bush, however, said he’s “immersed in the immigrant experience,” referring to his wife who’s from Mexico. He also speaks fluent Spanish and has lived in the Miami area for decades.

“This is ludicrous for the Clinton campaign and others to suggest that somehow I’m using a derogatory term,” he said, adding, “Frankly it’s more related to Asian people coming into our country, having children, in that organized efforts, taking advantage of a noble concept.”

Pressed on whether he’ll continue to use the term, Bush didn’t utter the phrase but called it “fraud” and argued that “we need to enforce the law,” though he still supports keeping birthright citizenship in place, unlike Republican front-runner Donald Trump.

At one point, a heckler started shouting at Bush during the press conference.

“He says your kids are anchor babies – your kids are anchor babies!” Bush quickly whipped around to look at the man, smiled, then continued taking questions from others.

The trip to McAllen has been on his schedule for a few weeks, his campaign says, but it was originally going to be just a fundraising trip. He added the roundtable a couple of weeks ago.

Trump, who visited the border last month, said Monday he thinks it’s “great” that Bush is in the area because he’ll realize that illegal immigration is “not an act of love.”

His comment was referring to an argument that Bush made last year, explaining why so many people want to immigrate to the U.S.

The war of words between Bush and Trump has escalated in recent days, as Bush has taken a harder line against the GOP front-runner who’s been tougher on Bush than any other candidate.

Photos: Jeb Bush's life

David Goldman/AP

Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush waves as he takes the stage as he formally announces he is joining the race for president with a speech June 15, 2015, at Miami Dade College in Miami.

Photos: Jeb Bush's life

Alex Wong/Getty Images

Former Florida governor Jeb Bush shakes hands with attendees after speaking at the 42nd annual Conservative Political Action Conference on February 27 in National Harbor, Maryland.

Photos: Jeb Bush's life

Scott Olson/Getty Images

Bush takes a selfie with a guest at a luncheon hosted by the Chicago Council on Global Affairs on February 18 in Chicago. Bush delivered his first major foreign policy speech at the event.

Photos: Jeb Bush's life

Joe Raedle/Getty Images

Bush hands out items for Holiday Food Baskets to those in need outside the Little Havana offices of CAMACOL, the Latin American Chamber of Commerce on December 17 in Miami.

Photos: Jeb Bush's life

Brendan Smialowski/AFP/Getty Image

Bush waves to the audience at the Tampa Bay Times Forum in Tampa, Florida, on August 30, 2012, on the final day of the Republican National Convention.

Photos: Jeb Bush's life

Mike Coppola/Getty Images

Bush (left) and wife Columba Bush attend the 2012 Lincoln Center Institute Gala at Frederick P. Rose Hall, Jazz at Lincoln Center on March 7, 2012, in New York City.

Photos: Jeb Bush's life

Joe Raedle/Getty Images

President Barack Obama (left) speaks about Bush (center) while visiting Miami Central Senior High School on March 4, 2011 in Miami, Florida. The visit focused on education.

Photos: Jeb Bush's life

Evaristo Sa/AFP/Getty Images

Bush (left) speaks with Brazilian President in charge Jose Alancar during a meeting at Planalto Palace in Brasilia, April 17, 2007. Bush was in Brazil to speak about sugar and ethanol business.

Photos: Jeb Bush's life

Alex Wong/Getty Images

Then-Texas Governor Rick Perry (center) testifies as Bush (right) and then-Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano (left) listen during a hearing before the House Committee on Homeland Security on Capitol Hill October 19, 2005.

Photos: Jeb Bush's life

Roberto Schmidt/AFP/Getty Images

Bush gives a thumbs up signal from his car as he leaves a local polling station after casting his vote in Coral Gables, Florida, November 5, 2002.

Photos: Jeb Bush's life

Mark Wilson/Getty Images

Bush walks out of the West Wing after meeting with his brother, then-President George W. Bush, at the White House January 9, 2002. Governor Bush participated in the signing ceremony of the Everglades Protection Agreement.

Photos: Jeb Bush's life

Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images

Then-Mexican President Vincente Fox (left) and Bush hold a press conference September 7, 2001, in Miami. Fox visited Florida to attend the Americas Conference and deliver a speech to speak about issues such as immigration.

Photos: Jeb Bush's life

Luke Frazza/AFP/Getty Images

Then-President George W. Bush (right) is greeted by Jeb Bush on March 21, 2001, at Orlando International Airport in Orlando, Florida. President Bush was in Orlando to attend the American College of Cardiology Annual Convention.

Photos: Jeb Bush's life

Rodrigo Buendia/AFP/Getty Images

Bush speaks during a press conference at the Carandolet Government Palace in Quito, January 18, 2006. Bush and a businessmen delegation were in a two-day visit to talk about a free trade agreement.

Photos: Jeb Bush's life

Mark Wilson/Getty Images

Bush speaks to reporters after meeting with the Florida State Cabinet at the Florida State Capitol Building November 16, 2000, in Tallahassee, Florida.

Photos: Jeb Bush's life

Paul Buck/AFP/Getty Images

Then-President George W. Bush (left) and Jeb Bush (right), raise their arms onstage following a rally at the Florida State Fairgrounds, October 25, 2000, in Brandon, Florida.

Photos: Jeb Bush's life

Tannen Maury/AFP/Getty Images

Jeb Bush (left) and then-President George W. Bush stand with their arms around each other's shoulders at a rally in Miami, Florida, September 22, 2000.

Photos: Jeb Bush's life

Timothy A. Clary/AFP/Getty Images

Then-President George W. Bush (right) and Jeb Bush go through the line for strawberries during a stop at the Stawberry Festival March 12, 2000 in Plant City, Florida.

Photos: Jeb Bush's life

John Mottern/AFP/Getty Images

The Bush family, (left to right) former U.S. President George W., former Florida Governor Jeb, former President George H.W. and his wife Barbara, watch play during the Foursomes matches September 25, 1999 at The Country Club in Brookline, Massachusetts the site of the 33rd Ryder Cup Matches.

Photos: Jeb Bush's life

Joyce Naltchayan/AFP/Getty Images

Former President George H.W. Bush (second left), his wife Barbara Bush (left), their son Jeb Bush (center), then-first lady Hillary Clinton (second right), and former then-President Bill Clinton (right) look up to see the U.S. Army Golden Knights parachute team November 6, 1997 at the conclusion of the dedication ceremony of the George Bush Library in College Station, Texas.

Photos: Jeb Bush's life

Newsmakers/Getty

Portrait of the Bush family in front of their Kennebunkport, Maine house August 24, 1986. Pictured, back row: Margaret holding daughter Marshall, Marvin Bush, Bill LeBlond. Pictured, front row: Neil Bush holding son Pierce, Sharon, George W. Bush holding daughter Barbara, Laura Bush holding daughter Jenna, Barbara Bush, George Bush, Sam LeBlond, Doro Bush Lebond, George P. (Jeb's son), Jeb Bush holding son Jebby, Columba Bush and Noelle Bush.

Prev Next

The two have opposing views on immigration policy, a contrast that Bush’s campaign is eager to highlight. Trump wants to end birthright citizenship, force Mexico to build a wall and deport people who are here illegally, while Bush favors legal status for the undocumented immigrants after they meet certain criteria.

Bush has been attempting to frame himself as the expert candidate on the issue, saying Monday that Trump’s ideas are “unrealistic” and would “cost hundreds of billions of dollars.”

“I think he’s wrong about this. And if he was interested in a more comprehensive approach he might want to read my book, Immigration Wars, which I published four years ago,” he said. “I welcome Mr. Trump into the debate. I think that’s great. He’s a serious candidate and he ought to be held to what serious candidates need to be held to. He needs to be held to account for his views.”

But Trump has rocketed to popularity in large part because of his outspoken views on the issue, tapping into widespread anger of the country’s problem with illegal immigration.

Asked later by CNN what he thought about Ben Carson’s proposal to use drone strikes on caves to combat cartels, Bush said he hadn’t heard of Carson’s plan and declined to comment.