President Obama today called for a "practical, common sense" immigration system that will help the U.S. economy and maintain the steady flow of immigrants who have always enriched the United States.

"Such an approach demands accountability from everybody," Obama said during his first major immigration speech as president.

Obama said his administration has already taken record-setting actions to strengthen the border, and also urged Congress to approve "a pathway to legal status" for the 11 million or so illegal immigrants who are already here.

Speaking to lawmakers, academics, and community leaders gathered at American University, Obama stressed the contributions that immigrants have made and the discrimination they faced throughout U.S. history. "Immigrants have always helped to build and defend this country," Obama said.

Immigration has become "a source of fresh contention" in recent says because of new Arizona law that gives police greater authority to question people's citizenship, Obama said in his first major immigration speech as president. His administration is expected to file a lawsuit against Arizona, but the president did not discuss that plan.