Facebookfounder Mark Zuckerberg is forming a new issues advocacy group to promoteimmigration reform, education and other policies aimed at growing the economy.
Two people familiar withthe discussions confirmed the effort, speaking on condition of anonymitybecause it has not yet been publicly announced.
Zuckerberg will bejoining with other high-tech executives and has already signed up severalhigh-profile consultants, including Joe Lockhart, former Clinton White Housepress secretary now at the Glover Park Group, and Rob Jesmer, formerlyexecutive director of the National Republican Senatorial Committee.
High-tech companies havestepped-up their lobbying on immigration to get more visas for high-techworkers, but the people involved say Zuckerberg's interest is broader andincludes citizenship for those here illegally.
The move was firstreported by the San Francisco Chronicle.