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Hundreds of pro-immigrant advocates from at least 20 states were headed to Washington to lobby members of Congress today, taking their issue from the streets to the Senate.

While reaction to President Bush’s address on immigration was mixed, some activists were buoyed by the fact that the issue at least remains a priority.

“The one clear message coming out is that the White House is engaged,” said Cecilia Munoz of the National Council of La Raza. “They’re willing to invest in this issue.”

The call to arrange face-to- face meetings with members of Congress and staffs was put out just a week ago when the We Are America Alliance, a loose coalition of the nation’s biggest pro- immigrant groups, was formed.

Participants were asked to pay for their own travel, so organizers expected to get only about 100 activists, said Cory Smith of the Coalition for Comprehensive Immigration Reform, a member group.

By early Tuesday, however, more than 400 had confirmed – and as many as 1,000 were expected, said Joan Maruskin, who works on immigration issues for Church World Service in Washington, which will register participants, provide breakfast and help visitors navigate.

The groups’ top priorities are reuniting immigrant families and providing a path to citizenship. While they generally oppose Bush’s plan to deploy National Guard troops to help secure the Mexican border, most acknowledge the need to reduce illegal immigration.