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Immigration Wars: Forging an American Solution
From the former Republican governor of Florida and a leading constitutional litigator comes a timely and provocative look at one of the most divisive issues facing the nation immigration.
The immigration debate has challenged our nation since its founding. But today, it divides Americans more stridently than ever, due to a chronic failure of national leadership by both parties. Here at last is an attainable resolution guided by two core first, immigration is vital to America’s future; second, any enduring resolution must adhere to the rule of law.
Unfortunately, current laws are so cumbersome and irrational that millions have circumvented them and entered the United States illegally, taxing our system to the breaking point. Jeb Bush and Clint Bolick contend there are other unique factors currently at America’s future population expansion will come solely from immigrants. And for the first time, the U.S. must compete with other countries for immigrant workers and their skills.
In the first book to offer a practical, nonpartisan approach, Bush and Bolick propose a compelling six-point strategy for reworking our policies that begins with erasing all existing, outdated immigration structures and starting over. From there, Immigration Wars details their plan for advancing the national goals that immigration policy is supposed to build a demand-driven immigration system; increase states’ autonomy based on varying needs; reduce the significant physical risks and financial costs imposed by illegal immigration; unite Mexico and America in their common war against drug cartels; and educate aspiring citizens in our nation’s founding principles and why they still matter.
Here too is a viable variation of the DREAM Act as a legal status for children brought here illegally, and sound strategies for the Republican Party to revitalize their ever-decreasing core constituency.
With Immigration Wars as a beacon of hope, Americans can finally solidify a national identity that is based on a set of ideals enriched and reinvigorated by immigrants, most of whom fervently embrace our core values—family, faith, hard work, education, and patriotism.
The immigration debate has challenged our nation since its founding. But today, it divides Americans more stridently than ever, due to a chronic failure of national leadership by both parties. Here at last is an attainable resolution guided by two core first, immigration is vital to America’s future; second, any enduring resolution must adhere to the rule of law.
Unfortunately, current laws are so cumbersome and irrational that millions have circumvented them and entered the United States illegally, taxing our system to the breaking point. Jeb Bush and Clint Bolick contend there are other unique factors currently at America’s future population expansion will come solely from immigrants. And for the first time, the U.S. must compete with other countries for immigrant workers and their skills.
In the first book to offer a practical, nonpartisan approach, Bush and Bolick propose a compelling six-point strategy for reworking our policies that begins with erasing all existing, outdated immigration structures and starting over. From there, Immigration Wars details their plan for advancing the national goals that immigration policy is supposed to build a demand-driven immigration system; increase states’ autonomy based on varying needs; reduce the significant physical risks and financial costs imposed by illegal immigration; unite Mexico and America in their common war against drug cartels; and educate aspiring citizens in our nation’s founding principles and why they still matter.
Here too is a viable variation of the DREAM Act as a legal status for children brought here illegally, and sound strategies for the Republican Party to revitalize their ever-decreasing core constituency.
With Immigration Wars as a beacon of hope, Americans can finally solidify a national identity that is based on a set of ideals enriched and reinvigorated by immigrants, most of whom fervently embrace our core values—family, faith, hard work, education, and patriotism.
- GenresPoliticsNonfiction
304 pages, Hardcover
First published March 5, 2013
7 people are currently reading
139 people want to read
About the author
Jeb Bush
21 books13 followersJohn Ellis "Jeb" Bush is an American politician who served as the 43rd Governor of Florida from 1999 to 2007.
He is the second son of former President George H.W. Bush and former First Lady Barbara Bush; the younger brother of former President George W. Bush; and the older brother of Neil Bush, Marvin Bush, and Dorothy Bush Koch.
Bush is the first and only Republican to serve two full four year terms as Governor of Florida.
He is the second son of former President George H.W. Bush and former First Lady Barbara Bush; the younger brother of former President George W. Bush; and the older brother of Neil Bush, Marvin Bush, and Dorothy Bush Koch.
Bush is the first and only Republican to serve two full four year terms as Governor of Florida.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
March 18, 2023
Honestly, I was quite impressed by this book. Bush and Bolick provide a thoughtful blueprint for increasing border security while making our nation more prosperous and being sympathetic to DREAMers. The blueprint here should be adopted by more Republican candidates for office
April 15, 2013
The book began as a good introduction of what major issues are preventing a seamless and accommodating immigration process. There was a lot of strong advocacy for skilled trade workers, H-2 visas, mitigating family preference and doing away with a corrupt diversity lottery. The books' aim is to show how this can all be attained with bipartisanship and "reaching across the aisle" to address common concerns. The problem I had with the bipartisan propaganda was that the latter half of the book became a radically "right" wing declaration outlining the reasons that the Republican party has to take the initiative on the matter and that immigrants by nature are republicans, "they just don't know it yet" (quote by Ronald Reagan). To me the author's partisanship shows the divide and in my opinion was counter intuitive to the point the book set out to express.
January 3, 2022
Immigration Wars is a balanced and reasonable look at the various factors surrounding American immigration, as well as its history and politics. Jeb Bush and Clint Bolick strongly believe that immigration is one of America's major strengths, and they talk about policies which could increase the number of skilled and motivated workers entering the country, while being realistic about many of the concerns that have surrounded the issue in recent years.
Bush and Bolick are particularly critical of family-based "chain immigration", in which extended family members are given priority immigration status, leaving little room for immigrants on work and student visas. In their view, family outside spouses and children should go through the non-priority immigration route. The authors talk about how students often finish college and have to leave the country due to a lack of immigration slots, and they also criticize country-based immigration quotas, which make it difficult for people from places like India to stay in America.
The authors seem well-informed about the status of immigration in America, and they use stats to dismiss myths surrounding crime and welfare. They are also critical of an overly heavy focus on border security, noting that it has not worked well in the past, and also noting that the demand for illegal immigration would be slowed if the current immigration process was improved.
In this book, the authors describe immigration reform as a bipartisan issue, and decry policies that they view as extremist and ineffective, including both open borders and a preoccupation with walls and border control. Seeing as how this book was written in 2013, it's interesting to think how the state of politics today would be different if Bush had been elected! Interesting Book & Good Read!!!
Bush and Bolick are particularly critical of family-based "chain immigration", in which extended family members are given priority immigration status, leaving little room for immigrants on work and student visas. In their view, family outside spouses and children should go through the non-priority immigration route. The authors talk about how students often finish college and have to leave the country due to a lack of immigration slots, and they also criticize country-based immigration quotas, which make it difficult for people from places like India to stay in America.
The authors seem well-informed about the status of immigration in America, and they use stats to dismiss myths surrounding crime and welfare. They are also critical of an overly heavy focus on border security, noting that it has not worked well in the past, and also noting that the demand for illegal immigration would be slowed if the current immigration process was improved.
In this book, the authors describe immigration reform as a bipartisan issue, and decry policies that they view as extremist and ineffective, including both open borders and a preoccupation with walls and border control. Seeing as how this book was written in 2013, it's interesting to think how the state of politics today would be different if Bush had been elected! Interesting Book & Good Read!!!
Read
January 25, 2015Great position statement on the complex immigration issue. This book provides a clear, fair and comprehensive plan to tackle the immigration problem. I became aware of problems in current immigration law that actually hinder smart, hardworking people from being a part of our great country. It saddens me that these laws which can so easily be fixed are not because of politics and the caustic rhetoric that always comes with any kind of discussion on immigration. I found the chapter with the personal stories both inspiring and disheartening. Why can't someone from England, FROM ENGLAND not be able to stay in the U.S.?
I recommend this book for anyone interested in reading about a good solution to immigration. As a conservative voter I recommend this book to my conservative friends who think the answer is simply "close those borders" and the problem is fixed. This book provides a solution that is both just and compassionate.
I recommend this book for anyone interested in reading about a good solution to immigration. As a conservative voter I recommend this book to my conservative friends who think the answer is simply "close those borders" and the problem is fixed. This book provides a solution that is both just and compassionate.
March 29, 2013
We as a county need to do something to close the borders.
January 12, 2021
What a gutsy book to release by a Republican running for President advocating for immigration reform. I wish I would have found this earlier in my career, but I got this from another retiring member. At first I was worried that the book would be fluff, but fortunately it was a wealth of information and a persuasive argument in support of reforming and fixing our immigration system in USA. It shows why it is better to have a predictable immigration system that is not backlogged and works well and is transparent. Since we have not reformed it, we have DACA, illegals and chain migration that are stifling our economy and leaving so many people unsure of their futures.
America should be a place that people can come to as long as they keep the rules. However, without a system that works, there will always be people coming here illegally. I appreciate that Jeb Bush put his name on this book and worked with Bolick to present a reasonable way to address the outstanding issues. The fact that Congress has not fixed this will only make it worse and they should be held accountable for not doing their jobs.
Bush and Bolick took a bold stance in advocating that no one should be able to stay here illegally. Those who have been here for years in their proposal would have to pay a fine and would be able to stay, but never be eligible for citizenship unless they apply like anyone else through the normal process. So they threaded the needle of no amnesty, but still allowing people to stay here was the goal.
If you would like to consider ways to fix the system, read this book. It changed my perception of Jeb Bush and I regret writing him off like I did when he ran for president. I expect it is because candidates rarely really put forth their policy thoughts in public like I would like them to and this book did.
America should be a place that people can come to as long as they keep the rules. However, without a system that works, there will always be people coming here illegally. I appreciate that Jeb Bush put his name on this book and worked with Bolick to present a reasonable way to address the outstanding issues. The fact that Congress has not fixed this will only make it worse and they should be held accountable for not doing their jobs.
Bush and Bolick took a bold stance in advocating that no one should be able to stay here illegally. Those who have been here for years in their proposal would have to pay a fine and would be able to stay, but never be eligible for citizenship unless they apply like anyone else through the normal process. So they threaded the needle of no amnesty, but still allowing people to stay here was the goal.
If you would like to consider ways to fix the system, read this book. It changed my perception of Jeb Bush and I regret writing him off like I did when he ran for president. I expect it is because candidates rarely really put forth their policy thoughts in public like I would like them to and this book did.
August 28, 2020
Immigration Wars is a balanced and reasonable look at the various factors surrounding American immigration, as well as its history and politics. Jeb Bush and Clint Bolick strongly believe that immigration is one of America's major strengths, and they talk about policies which could increase the number of skilled and motivated workers entering the country, while being realistic about many of the concerns that have surrounded the issue in recent years.
Bush and Bolick are particularly critical of family-based "chain immigration", in which extended family members are given priority immigration status, leaving little room for immigrants on work and student visas. In their view, family outside spouses and children should go through the non-priority immigration route. The authors talk about how students often finish college and have to leave the country due to a lack of immigration slots, and they also criticize country-based immigration quotas, which make it difficult for people from places like India to stay in America.
The authors seem well-informed about the status of immigration in America, and they use stats to dismiss myths surrounding crime and welfare. They are also critical of an overly heavy focus on border security, noting that it has not worked well in the past, and also noting that the demand for illegal immigration would be slowed if the current immigration process was improved.
In this book, the authors describe immigration reform as a bipartisan issue, and decry policies that they view as extremist and ineffective, including both open borders and a preoccupation with walls and border control. Seeing as how this book was written in 2013, it's interesting to think how the state of politics today would be different if Bush had been elected!
Bush and Bolick are particularly critical of family-based "chain immigration", in which extended family members are given priority immigration status, leaving little room for immigrants on work and student visas. In their view, family outside spouses and children should go through the non-priority immigration route. The authors talk about how students often finish college and have to leave the country due to a lack of immigration slots, and they also criticize country-based immigration quotas, which make it difficult for people from places like India to stay in America.
The authors seem well-informed about the status of immigration in America, and they use stats to dismiss myths surrounding crime and welfare. They are also critical of an overly heavy focus on border security, noting that it has not worked well in the past, and also noting that the demand for illegal immigration would be slowed if the current immigration process was improved.
In this book, the authors describe immigration reform as a bipartisan issue, and decry policies that they view as extremist and ineffective, including both open borders and a preoccupation with walls and border control. Seeing as how this book was written in 2013, it's interesting to think how the state of politics today would be different if Bush had been elected!
March 26, 2020
I never thought thought I would like a nonfiction book written by a Republican, let alone a Bush. This book actually had good points on how to not only fix our immigration issues, but also had good points on how to fix our education system as well. I picked up this book because I wanted to read about this perspective from the other side, but I found myself agreeing with a lot it said. It was clearly written and informative.
March 14, 2021
Too often this topic which is very complex is given to us as a way over simplified explanation. We too often view immigration along partisan lines one dimensionally as social justice or a scourge. Lots to of good info. Now the author is a Bush so the book goes off the rails a bit at the end with a few sections at the end on how Republicans need to focus more on getting these votes.
April 10, 2018
Some good thoughts on immigration. We need the immigrants. We need the ones who are coming to work on job VISAs and need to reduce some of the family VISAs (too broad, including uncles, aunts, etc).
November 9, 2017
Jeb Bush and Clint Bolick offer a balanced and American way to reform immigration and best utilize its potential. Overall, it presents a very solid and fair plan for immigration.
January 19, 2018
This book is pretty dry but a good thought piece on our immigration policy. Even if Jeb Bush is no longer relevant the ideas in this book certainly still are.
Read
January 14, 2020Oof, this hits different in January 2020.
February 5, 2016
As a lifelong Republican I'm very frustrated that our party has been taken over by populists that would prefer to watch fox news over reading books about economics. One could drive from Montreal to the southern tip of Argentina if it wasn't for such fools demanding "secure borders." It would mean a more prosperous hemisphere for so many reasons. O'well, so much for there being a party of limited government.
I love Jeb. He is the least bad choice of our party this year. Clearly our party is full of people who don't travel and don't do business around the world and believe the global economy is made up of all 50 States. So Jeb is limited in what he can say. We should be pushing for open borders with Mexico and Canada as The Economist (and so many others) tries to explain about every week. However, since nobody in our party believes in or understands the concept of less government and deregulation that isn't possible for him to write. So after he says he doesn't believe in open borders (which maybe even he does believe himself unfortunately) he spends 200 pages explaining why attracting immigrants is such a critical and beneficial thing.
It is clear Jeb is frustrated as I am by the idiots in our party that have created such a destructive immigration system. "Get your PhD here in the U.S. (if you can get one of the limited student visas) and take your skills elsewhere to found your business!" Good book and worth the read. I just wish he'd say a lot more. Unfortunately I'm sure he's already beyond the 30 second sound bite most in our party can handle.
I love Jeb. He is the least bad choice of our party this year. Clearly our party is full of people who don't travel and don't do business around the world and believe the global economy is made up of all 50 States. So Jeb is limited in what he can say. We should be pushing for open borders with Mexico and Canada as The Economist (and so many others) tries to explain about every week. However, since nobody in our party believes in or understands the concept of less government and deregulation that isn't possible for him to write. So after he says he doesn't believe in open borders (which maybe even he does believe himself unfortunately) he spends 200 pages explaining why attracting immigrants is such a critical and beneficial thing.
It is clear Jeb is frustrated as I am by the idiots in our party that have created such a destructive immigration system. "Get your PhD here in the U.S. (if you can get one of the limited student visas) and take your skills elsewhere to found your business!" Good book and worth the read. I just wish he'd say a lot more. Unfortunately I'm sure he's already beyond the 30 second sound bite most in our party can handle.
January 16, 2024
Another good book club discussion.
Lots of good context here about the reasons why we need immigrants, despite both authors' conservative backgrounds. They lay out a fairly simple framework of how to get the high skilled workers we need here, and the low skilled guest workers we need to do the jobs that Americans don't/won't do. It makes such good common sense, it's astonishing how our partisan politics cannot seem to have anything but an inflamed discussion about it. Not all the answers are here, but it's a good start for working up specific solutions, and the sooner the better. Unless the one leading the dialog is simply interested in riling up the base rather than working on improvements.
Drawbacks: the last part of the book is addressed to Republicans who want to ensure their domain in the future, which takes the book's tone farther away from it's earlier even-handed tone.
It also doesn't address the asylum situation, which stems from the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights that was agreed to by the U.S. and most countries, but still provides sovereignty to the countries, and therefore leaves everything in limbo.
Lots of good context here about the reasons why we need immigrants, despite both authors' conservative backgrounds. They lay out a fairly simple framework of how to get the high skilled workers we need here, and the low skilled guest workers we need to do the jobs that Americans don't/won't do. It makes such good common sense, it's astonishing how our partisan politics cannot seem to have anything but an inflamed discussion about it. Not all the answers are here, but it's a good start for working up specific solutions, and the sooner the better. Unless the one leading the dialog is simply interested in riling up the base rather than working on improvements.
Drawbacks: the last part of the book is addressed to Republicans who want to ensure their domain in the future, which takes the book's tone farther away from it's earlier even-handed tone.
It also doesn't address the asylum situation, which stems from the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights that was agreed to by the U.S. and most countries, but still provides sovereignty to the countries, and therefore leaves everything in limbo.
July 20, 2015
Reading this book made me very aware of how little I truly knew about the immigration debate!
All my previous opinions were based on random things spewed by the media, and other people's opinion. (Which no doubt, had a basis in the sensationalized media.)
If you have an interest in immigration or politics, I recommend this book.
If you have a pre-conceived notion or opinion on immigration, I recommend this book.
I'm conservative, so I think I naturally would fall in line with the ideas expressed by Bush & Bolick, but I would think that these ideas aren't so far out there that most people could get inline with it.
There was even a chapter on immigration & education. Which really was more just education, but I appreciated the insight as well.
If you're not a republican, or don't care how the party can become more inline with the Hispanic vote. Skip the last chapter.
Naturally, this is a political policy book, so it does get a bit repetitive. But nothing you want to beat your head against the wall over.
All my previous opinions were based on random things spewed by the media, and other people's opinion. (Which no doubt, had a basis in the sensationalized media.)
If you have an interest in immigration or politics, I recommend this book.
If you have a pre-conceived notion or opinion on immigration, I recommend this book.
I'm conservative, so I think I naturally would fall in line with the ideas expressed by Bush & Bolick, but I would think that these ideas aren't so far out there that most people could get inline with it.
There was even a chapter on immigration & education. Which really was more just education, but I appreciated the insight as well.
If you're not a republican, or don't care how the party can become more inline with the Hispanic vote. Skip the last chapter.
Naturally, this is a political policy book, so it does get a bit repetitive. But nothing you want to beat your head against the wall over.
May 18, 2013
The book provides insight into the nation's widespread immigration issues and provided some decent--albeit painfully repetitive and idealistic--solutions to the problem. My main issue with the book is that it masquerades as a template for bipartisan immigration reform but, as the post script reveals, is actually a ploy to convince republicans to tap into the hispanic voting block and revive the party.
If the issue transcends party lines, as Bush claims, then he would be able to take off his rose-colored glasses and discuss the issue showing the same scrutiny for Republicans as he does for Democrats.
If the issue transcends party lines, as Bush claims, then he would be able to take off his rose-colored glasses and discuss the issue showing the same scrutiny for Republicans as he does for Democrats.
August 12, 2014
Written by Jeb Bush and famed constitutional law attorney Clint Bolick, this book dares to ask legislators on both sides of the aisle to work together to find a comprehensive solution to our nation's immigrant reform. The basic theme is that immigration reform itself will indeed make it easier to secure the border, by giving those who want to come here and contribute to the economy a safe and legal outlet to do so. Our nation was built by immigrants, and to try and lock them out is foolhardy. Hopefully Congress can work together to truly restore the US's status as the nation of opportunity.
August 17, 2013
I found this book interesting. I was surprised how plan spoken it was for a book by a politician. I thought the idea that challenging the convectional wisdom that more immigrants add to the economy rather than detract was something to think about. The chapter on education seemed out of place and could not do the topic justice. Worth reading if you want a fairly liberal conservative view of immigration.
August 11, 2014
The authors address both sides of the current immigration issue laying blame on both political parties and the president. They claim that most Americans want immigration reform but differ on the type of reform. By their statistics over 80 percent want the immigration laws enforced. Issues such as the DREAM Act which rewards illegal entry is also addressed. A good read whichever side of the issue that you are on.
July 12, 2014
It wasn't boring, and that is saying a lot. An obvious opening salvo for a presidential run and I give the author credit for sharing some very personal stories about his own life. His "American Solution" is to eliminate family reunification in lieu of work immigration coupled with a guest worker program.
May 26, 2015
I really enjoyed this book. I learned alot about the importance of imigrations, not only the problems of the illegal immigrants but also how necessary it is to allow immigrants to come to this country and how very broken our current system is. Very succintly addresses many issues, also how education and immigration are "joined at the hip." A good book for all Americans.
April 23, 2013
Even though I don't agree with everything in this book, I felt that there were some definite thoughts and ideas to consider when considering what to do about immigration reform. I highly recommend this book to all--no matter what their political persuasion may be.
June 9, 2015
2 stars. I suppose a balanced perspective. Jeb focuses on the additions that educated immigrants can make to our country--and makes the case that we can't currently move forward as an economy without more educated immigrants.
July 10, 2016
I just realized this is still on my currently reading list because I got bored when it started repeating itself and never picked it up again. It was a good/compassionate overview of the situation, though completely irrelevant in light of the current election candidates.
March 23, 2013
While I don't agree with everything espoused in this book, it does promote a rational discussion.
I would only wish that one of my favorite governors didn't come across as a Democrat light.
I would only wish that one of my favorite governors didn't come across as a Democrat light.
May 16, 2016
Those pesky Bush boys…
They don't seem to be able to see people as people. This book strikes me as having been written as a political maneuver.
Transparent pandering.
They don't seem to be able to see people as people. This book strikes me as having been written as a political maneuver.
Transparent pandering.
November 15, 2014
It may be a solution, but it's not an American solution.
May 6, 2015
Good info and summary.
March 12, 2020
Mr. Bush has excellent ideas about reforming our immigration system. It is thoughtful and compelling. It's one of the more pro-immigration voices coming from the right these days.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews