'Immigrants can help build a dynamic tomorrow,' George W. Bush said. George W. Bush praises immigrants

In a rare public policy speech, former President George W. Bush said Tuesday that immigrants both help the American economy and “invigorate our soul.”

“America is a nation of immigrants. Immigrants have helped build a country that we have became, and immigrants can help build a dynamic tomorrow. Not only do immigrants help build our economy, they invigorate our soul,” Bush said.


He was speaking in Dallas as part of a symposium hosted by the George W. Bush Institute and Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas.

“I hope we keep in mind the contribution of immigrants to the building of our nation,” Bush said.

“Immigrants come with new skills and new ideas,” he added. “They fill a critical gap in our labor market, they work hard for a chance for a better life.”

A number of Republican leaders — including Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) — have spoken out since the presidential election about the need to reach out Hispanics, a group that overwhelmingly supported President Barack Obama last month.

The 43nd president’s brother, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, is reportedly working on a book of his own about immigration and is rumored to be mulling a 2016 presidential run.

The former president’s speech drew praise from Gary Johnson, New Mexico’s former Republican governor turned 2012 Libertarian presidential nominee:

“Bush Says Immigrants Fill Gap in Labor Market”. #Immigration was 1 issue Bush ‘43 had right. GOP should listen! abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/b… #tlot— Gov. Gary Johnson (@GovGaryJohnson) December 4, 2012

This article tagged under: George W. Bush