Mayor Bloomberg said he will attend President Barack Obama’s speech about immigration Thursday in Washington.

The billionaire mayor has long been outspoken about what he says is the country’s failed immigration policy.

Last week he announced he had formed an immigration coalition with several CEOs of major companies like Hewlett-Packard, Boeing, News Corp. and Disney.

The group is seeking to cast immigration as the solution to improving the economy. The organization believes immigrants strengthen the workforce in many ways, including owning businesses that create jobs.

The coalition is advocating a path to legal status for all 12 million undocumented residents in the United States.

Obama is scheduled to speak at American University. Bloomberg told reporters Wednesday the White House invited him to attend.