Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Geckoman]

Here's an interesting article by The Korea Herald about Korean mothers giving birth in the United States and Canada so that their kid will have American or Canadian citizenship.

Parents go long way to give children dual nationality
http://www.koreaherald.co.kr/NEWKHSITE/data/html_dir/2009/11/25/200911250031.asp

This practice is a whole industry in Korea and the phenomena is covered by the Korean and American media every so often.

I know the American islands of Guam and Saipan are popular destinations for a "Born in the USA" baby as Guam and Saipan are just a 4 hour flight away.

Here is one website that advertises this practice for Guam: www.guambaby.com

Anything for a "Born in the USA" baby.

Even though this article only mentions the United States and Canada as being a destination for this practice, no doubt Korean mothers go to other nations, such as Australia or New Zealand, as well.

[air76]

What the article doesn't tell you is the real ulterior motive behind this practice....it has nothing to do with studying or living abroad, the primary goal is to allow their children to accurately and honestly sing a certain Bruce Springsteen song in the Norae Bang.

[jvalmer]

Canadian and US citizenship laws need to be revised to prevent this.

[VanIslander]

[jvalmer]

As long as laws aren't revised, these anchor baby families are doing nothing wrong. But you've got to question the short-site motivation. They're spending who knows how much, on the assumption that their kid will want to go to North America in 20 years. And they are assuming that America will still be in the same dominant economic position that they are in now (or were). Personally, I'd hedge my bets on China.

[tatu]

[mayorgc]

[Xuanzang]

[jvalmer]

[Old Gil]

[pkang0202]

Funny how the best schools in Korea are inaccessible to Koreans. I believe the International Schools in Korea require foreign citizenship. I think there would be a major uproar if the best middle/high schools in the US were available only to non-US citizens.


I think the difference between babies from developed countries versus undeveloped countries is where the family wants to reside. I think many of the Koreans who DO take part in this are rich. I'm sure it costs many thousands of dollars to do it. They sure didn't make their money in the USA. The point is, they made their money in Korea, and it is likely they will stay in Korea. Most immigrants, from Korea to the US, leave their professional careers behind and start up new jobs in the US (laundromats, convenience stores, etc...) because it is extremely difficult for them to continue their careers in the USA. A lot of rich folks in Korea don't want to give up their cushy, high paying jobs to break their backs running a small store 60 hours a week.

My point is, many of these anchor babies are not meant to be used to have the family move to the USA. In fact, they are used so that the baby can increase their chances of success IN Korea.

I know that kids with dual citizenship do not have to apply to Korean universities like other Korean students. They have an easier entrance requirement.

[fermentation]

For a Korean, being an American citizen has so many advantages both in the US and in Korea. For all their nationalism, Koreans deep down realize the truth, particularly the rich. I'm just pissed off my parents missed the boat on this.

[hellofaniceguy]

I look at it this way...the shoe could be on the other foot and the unlucky ones living in Canada/U.S. could be seeking citizenship in korea! I mean come on now, in all seriousness...what good is a korean passport? Would you want one? The majority in my opinion would not trade their Canadian/U.S./German and all the other countries in the world, save a few, for a korean passport! There is nothing wrong with the country land wise, water, etc....it's the people that make it undesirable.

[redaxe]

This is why US immigration officials try really hard not to issue visas to pregnant women

[TheUrbanMyth]