George W. Bush Institute
Immigration
Promoting a modern immigration system that meets the needs of our economy while respecting safety, security, and human dignity.
“At its core, immigration is a sign of a confident and successful nation. Immigrants’ talent and hard work and love of freedom have helped us become the leader of the world.”
–President George W. Bush
Every year that goes by without reforming the United States immigration system means a missed opportunity to ensure the future prosperity, vitality, and security of our nation. At the George W. Bush Institute, we are committed to changing the terms of this debate and offering solutions that are bold and politically viable. We are committed to using our voice to ensure that the United States reaps the benefits of our longstanding history as a nation of immigrants.
America’s immigration system is more than 30 years out of date. Every year that passes without reforming our immigration policy means missed opportunities to ensure the future prosperity, vitality, and security of our country.
We need top-to-bottom reform that meets the needs of our economy, addresses current migration patterns, welcomes refugees and asylum seekers, and provides reasonable legislative solutions for the undocumented, including Dreamers. We are committed to changing the terms of this debate and offering bold, principle-based solutions.
Successful immigration reform should:
- Allow Dreamers to apply for citizenship
- Uphold our long-standing tradition of welcoming refugees and asylum seekers
- Manage our borders through investment and innovation, and by helping our neighbors
- Adapt our immigration systems to meet the needs of our 21st century economy
- Create a more efficient temporary foreign worker entry program
- Create a rigorous, fair process for undocumented immigrants to get right with the law
3.6M
Dreamers living in the United States
700+
miles of physical barriers along our Southern border
2X
Immigrants start businesses at twice the rate of the native-born population
OUT OF MANY, ONE
Portraits of America’s Immigrants by President George W. Bush
A powerful collection of 43 portraits painted by President George W. Bush and accompanying stories that exemplify the promise of America and our proud history as a nation of immigrants.
Out of Many, One reminds us of the countless ways in which America has been strengthened by those who have come here in search of a better life.
NEW AMERICAN STORIES
Our Team
Director, Bush Institute-SMU Economic Growth Initiative George W. Bush Institute
Counsel, White & Case LLP; Former U.S. Ambassador to Mexico
Senior Advisor, Citadel Capital
Dean, Dedman College, SMU
Chairman, E&A Industries
President and CEO, Rockefeller & Co.
President and CEO, Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas
Provost and Vice President, Academic Affairs, SMU
Chair, Department of Economics, SMU
Dean, Edwin L. Cox of Business, SMU
Vice President and Senior Economist, Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas
Professor, School of Public Policy, University of Maryland