Jeb Bush, a candidate for the Republican nomination in the 2016 presidential election, said on Monday that he used the term ‘anchor babies’ while referring to Asian immigrants. Bush was speaking at a news conference in McAllen, Texas, which is bordered with Mexico.

He was asked whether use of the term ‘anchor babies’ could have an effect on his ability to get Hispanic votes.

Bush said in the face of his life, background, in addition his immigrant experience, suggestions by the Clinton campaign and others that he used an offensive term is ludicrous.

According to him, "What I was talking about was the specific case of fraud being committed where there are organized efforts - frankly it's more related to Asian people coming into our country, having children in that organized effort, taking advantage of a noble concept, which is birthright citizenship".

Under the 14th Amendment to the US Constitution, citizenship is granted to any child born in the US, irrespective of parentage. Sometimes, the term ‘anchor babies’ is used by immigration critics to refer to US-born kids of illegal immigrants, generally from Latin America. According to immigration groups, the use of this phrase is not right.

The former Florida governor appeared annoyed as he talked on the issue once again after already telling reporters last week that he did not feel apologetic for using the words since he did not know any better word.