Mayor Villaraigosa. (Wikimedia Commons)

Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa spoke Monday morning at the National Press Club, saying that fixing the country's immigration system proved economically vital and urging legislators to find a way to give citizenship to 11 million undocumented immigrants who work in the United States, according to a press release.

"The bottom line in this debate is full citizenship," he said.  "We aren't the land of opportunity for some; we are the land of opportunity for all."

Villaraigosa argued that lawmakers must face the immigration issue now.

"Washington should be able to walk and chew gum at the same time," Villaraigosa said.  "Congress is fully capable of enacting responsible gun control and comprehensive immigration reform.  The time for half-measures and one-sided approaches is over."

The mayor listed six pillars that should (could) guide immigration reform:

"-A pathway to citizenship should be at the core of any reform efforts.

-Legalization should be earned, but not unattainable, and requirements should include a criminal background check, English-language proficiency and payment of back taxes.

-Family unification should be a key priority.

-Immigration should maximize the nation's economic competitiveness by creating better incentives to retain high-skilled and agricultural workers.

-Immigration reform must include an effective and efficient employment verification system to prevent unlawful employment.

-We must protect our nation's borders through smart enforcement."

Read more of Neon Tommy's coverage of the mayor here.

Reach Executive Producer Michael Juliani here.