The backdrop of a naturalization ceremony on Friday was used by President Barack Obama to urge the overhaul of U. S. immigration policy.

Their efforts, to earn their citizenship is a reminder "of how we must remain both a nation of immigrants and a nation of laws," Obama said, speaking in the Rose Garden where 24 active-duty U. S. service members from more than a dozen countries became Americans.

He said "This includes fixing America's broken immigration system."

The president said that while disagreements have gone on for years, "surely we can all agree that when 11 million people in our country are living here illegally, outside the system, that's unacceptable."

He called for "common-sense, comprehensive immigration reform grounded in the principles of responsibility and accountability."

It was further added by him that his administration is working to strengthen border security and that businesses that "ignore the law and exploit and abuse vulnerable workers and try to gain an unfair advantage" over law-abiding businesses will be held accountable.

He also said, "And people who are in America illegally have a responsibility -- to pay their back taxes and admit responsibility for breaking the law, pay a penalty, learn English, pass criminal background checks, and get right with the law -- or face removal -- before they can get in line and eventually earn their citizenship."

It has been informed by the reform aides that Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has given Democratic and Republican point men three weeks to reach bipartisan agreement on immigration.

Reid, D-Nev., told Sens. Charles Schumer, D-N. Y., and Lindsey Graham, R-S. C., if they can't get it done by then, Democrats will forge ahead with their own bill, aides told The Washington Post on Thursday. (With Inputs from Agencies)