WASHINGTON (AP) - Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg is forming a new issues advocacy group to promote immigration reform, education and other policies aimed at growing the economy.

Two people familiar with the discussions confirmed the effort, speaking on condition of anonymity because it has not yet been publicly announced.

Mr Zuckerberg will be joining with other high-tech executives and has already signed up several high-profile consultants, including Mr Joe Lockhart, former Clinton White House press secretary now at the Glover Park Group, and Mr Rob Jesmer, formerly executive director of the National Republican Senatorial Committee.

High-tech companies have stepped-up their lobbying on immigration to get more visas for high-tech workers, but the people involved say Mr Zuckerberg's interest is broader and includes citizenship for those here illegally.

The move was first reported by the San Francisco Chronicle.