Undocumented immigrants who come to the United States in order to be reunited with their families should not be treated in the same manner as other border crossers or those who overstay visas, according to the former Governor of Florida, Jeb Bush.
Bush made the comments during an event held to commemorate the 25th anniversary of George H W Bush’s presidency at the museum and library that bears his name. The event was not open to reporters, but Fox News anchor Shannone Bream moderated and some parts of the gathering were shown later on the Fox News Channel. Bush replied to a question about immigration by saying that the Senate bipartisan bill that was passed in 2013 was “a good effort” to make sure people who overstayed US visas left the country.
“A great country ought to know where those folks are and politely ask them to leave,” Bush declared, later adding that the proper targeting of such individuals would do much to restore the faith of the general public in the immigration system. He then went on to say that people who come to the United States illegally in order to be with their families are showing their commitment to that family and should receive different treatment. “It shouldn’t rile people up that people are actually coming to this country to provide for their families.”
The remarks clearly set Bush apart from many others in the Republican Party, particularly those who are contemplating running for President in 2016.