George W. Bush Institute

Immigration

Promoting a modern immigration system that meets the needs of our economy while respecting safety, security, and human dignity.

Painting of the Statue of Liberty.

“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America’s immigration system is more than 30 years out of date.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

president bush painting.

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.

Portraits pained by President Bush.
OUT OF MANY, ONE

NEW AMERICAN STORIES

Our Team

Read Laura Collins's biography.
Laura Collins

Director, Bush Institute-SMU Economic Growth Initiative George W. Bush Institute

Antonio Garza, Chair

Counsel, White & Case LLP; Former U.S. Ambassador to Mexico

Ben Bernanke

Senior Advisor, Citadel Capital

Thomas DiPiero, Ph.D.

Dean, Dedman College, SMU

Al Hubbard

Chairman, E&A Industries

Reuben Jeffery

President and CEO, Rockefeller & Co.

Robert S. Kaplan

President and CEO, Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas

Elizabeth G. Loboa

Provost and Vice President, Academic Affairs, SMU

Dan Millimet, Ph.D

Chair, Department of Economics, SMU

Matthew Myers

Dean, Edwin L. Cox of Business, SMU

Pia Orrenius

Vice President and Senior Economist, Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas

Susan Schwab

Professor, School of Public Policy, University of Maryland

Featured

Publications

THE LATEST
IMMIGRANT STORIES
out-of-many-one-deluxe-with-cover

Out of Many, One
Portraits of America's Immigrants

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