Former President George W. Bush welcomed new U.S. citizens during a naturalization ceremony in Dallas, saying that "amid all the complications of policy, may we never forget that immigration is a blessing and a strength."
Bush and former first lady Laura Bush both spoke to the 50 or so candidates for naturalization during the ceremony Monday at his institute at the George W. Bush Presidential Center.
He told the group that came from more than 20 countries that he hopes "those responsible in Washington can dial down the rhetoric, put politics aside, and modernize our immigration laws soon."
Noting public debate on immigration "can get pretty sharp," he told them that they signed up with a "boisterous democracy." He encouraged them to participate in it and vote.
"As president, I worked hard on comprehensive immigration reform, and I regret that our efforts came up short," Bush said. "Today, emotions can cloud the issue. But here at the Bush center, we are clear-eyed about the need to enforce our borders and protect our homeland, and about the critical contributions immigrants make to our prosperity and to our way of life."
Bush did not mention President Donald Trump by name, but his words stood in contrast to his fellow Republican's fiery rhetoric about immigrants.
Immigration is a focus of the George W. Bush Institute, which says it advocates for "smart, skills-based immigration reform."
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Laura Bush said Texas is a state that "thrives due to the prosperity, ingenuity, transformation and generosity of immigrants."
George Bush told the group: "I'd like to point out that not only are you becoming an American, but as Laura mentioned, you're a Texan. And if you walk out of here with a little extra attitude in your step, it shows the culture is taking hold."
"Getting Bush was a dream," said Cataliina Coultas. The Colombian immigrant said she's been waiting 20-years to realize her American dream. "I went to school, I went to graduate school, have an amazing husband and future for myself, for my parents, my brother, and future generations."
"I'm here to chase my dream," said Feliz Odeh, who came to the United States from Nigeria 6 years ago. "To better my life. To make a career pathway."
