Stories about immigration and the situation at the southern border of our country and our state have been common in the news cycle in recent weeks. Regardless of where you stand on the issue, it’s clear that what’s going on right now isn’t sustainable.

Former President George W. Bush offered his take in a recent opinion piece published in the Washington Post over the weekend. The article comes just days before Bush is set to publish his new book, “Out of Many, One,” which contains a collection of the Preston Hollow neighbor’s paintings of immigrants.

“I hope that these faces, and the stories that accompany them, serve as a reminder that immigration isn’t just a part of our heritage. New Americans are just as much a force for good now, with their energy, idealism and love of country, as they have always been,” Bush writes in the Post.

He starts out with two actions the U.S. can take to work to improve immigration: moving forward with Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and enforcing the laws.

The people who were brought to the country by their parents, the so-called “dreamers” who grew up here and are fundamentally, should not be punished for their parents’ mistakes, Bush writes. And in addition to securing the borders and enforcing the laws, “we must work with our neighbors to help them build freedom and opportunity so their citizens can thrive at home.”

“Out of Many, One,” by George W. Bush

Bush also offers other related suggestions to implement, such as an asylum system that helps refugees pursue their cases in a timely way, increased legal immigration focused on employment and skills, an improved temporary entry program and a better process to allow undocumented immigrants to earn citizenship.

“And we will again see immigration for what it is: not a problem and source of discord, but a great and defining asset of the United States,” he concludes.

“Out of Many, One,” will be available April 20. People can also see the 43 portraits painted by the former president at the George W. Bush Presidential Center starting April 20 until Jan. 3, 2022.