George W. Bush: Time to “fix a broken system”

July 10, 2013

While not commenting directly on any proposed legislation, former President George W. Bush continues to speak in favor of immigration reform. Below are remarks he made during an interview with Jonathan Karl that aired on ABC this past Sunday:

KARL: You tried very hard to get comprehensive immigration reform through. How big a missed opportunity will it be if it fails this time around?

BUSH: I think it’s very important to fix a broken system, to treat people with respect. And have confidence in our capacity to assimilate people. It’s a very difficult bill to pass because there is a lot of moving parts, and the legislative process is — can be ugly. And — but it looks like they’re making some progress.

KARL: Because that was one of your real frustrations, was not being able to pass that bill.

BUSH: Yeah. I understand sometimes you get legislation through that you want. I was also frustrated we didn’t pass Social Security reform. I thought the plan I had laid out on both was reasonable. But sometimes it takes, it takes time for some of these complex issues to evolve. And looks like immigration, you know, has a chance to pass.

KARL: Is the party going to be really hurt if they let this die?

BUSH: Well, the reason to pass immigration reform is not to bolster a Republican Party, it’s to fix a system that’s broken. Good policy yields good politics, as far as I’m concerned.

He has continued to press the issue today in advance of a congressional meeting on immigration reform efforts:

“The laws governing the immigration system aren’t working… We’re a nation of immigrants… we’re also a nation of laws, and we must enforce our laws. America can be a lawful society and a welcoming society at the same time. We can uphold our tradition of assimilating immigrants… but we have a problem.”

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TAGS: George W. Bush