Share on FacebookFormer President George W. Bush is shining a spotlight on the contributions of immigrants to America in a unique and heartfelt way. His new book, "Out of Many, One: Portraits of America's Immigrants," features 43 paintings of immigrants, all created by the 43rd president himself.
Many of the portraits are of individuals Bush knows personally, and the book is set to release on March 2.
Bush hopes the book will inspire Americans to see immigration as a unifying issue rather than a divisive one.
"While I recognize that immigration can be an emotional issue, I reject the premise that it is a partisan issue. It is perhaps the most American of issues, and it should be one that unites us," Bush writes in the book’s introduction.
Art Exhibit to Complement the Book
This collection of paintings also serves as a companion to an upcoming art exhibit at the George W. Bush Presidential Center in Dallas, Texas. Both the book and the exhibit aim to present thoughtful solutions to the ongoing debate about immigration.
According to the book’s publisher, Crown, the project emphasizes the urgency of reforming the nation’s broken immigration system to secure a prosperous future. A portion of the book’s proceeds will go toward helping immigrants resettle, reinforcing the message that Bush sees immigrants as vital contributors to America’s strength and diversity.
A Different Approach to Immigration
Bush’s views on immigration stand apart from many in today’s political landscape. While his presidency included measures like ending catch-and-release and bolstering border security, he also advocated for a bipartisan immigration reform bill that included a guest worker program and a pathway to citizenship for undocumented individuals.
Unfortunately, that bill failed to pass.
In contrast, the Trump administration implemented strict immigration policies, including separating families at the border and banning travelers from majority-Muslim countries. While Bush has avoided directly criticizing Trump, he has expressed his discomfort with the tone of current political rhetoric.
"I don't like the racism and the name-calling, and I don't like the people feeling alienated," he shared in a 2017 interview.
From Politics to Painting
Painting has become a surprising passion for Bush in his post-presidential life. Inspired by Winston Churchill’s love of painting, Bush took up the hobby and has since made it a major focus.
His earlier book, "Portraits of Courage," featured paintings of military veterans and was released in 2017. "It keeps me active, so I'm not on the couch chewing potato chips all the time," Bush joked in an interview.
The Power of Art to Communicate Stories
With "Out of Many, One," Bush is using his art to share stories of hope and resilience, reminding Americans of the powerful role immigrants play in shaping the nation’s identity.
