Updated @ 12:50 ET The national fallout from Arizona’s fight over SB 1070 continues. While thousands rallied yesterday in Phoenix in opposition to the bill and Governor Jan Brewer seemed to remain firm, President Obama asked his staff to closely monitor the situation on the ground. "Our failure to act responsibly at the federal level will only open the door to irresponsibility by others. And that includes, for example, the recent efforts in Arizona, which threatened to undermine basic notions of fairness that we cherish as Americans, as well as the trust between police and their communities that is so crucial to keeping us safe," Obama said. "In fact, I’ve instructed members of my administration to closely monitor the situation and examine the civil rights and other implications of this legislation. But if we continue to fail to act at a federal level, we will continue to see misguided efforts opening up around the country." (See the full transcript of his comments after the jump.) Advocates, however, are urging the President to do more than just talk. "Actions speak louder than words, " Chris Newman, Legal Programs Director at the National Day Laborer Organizing Network, told RaceWire this morning. "We’re confident that we have the constitution on our side." Newman went on to say that if the bill does pass, advocates will call on the President to intervene and prevent if from being implemented. He also noted that Arizona state law is pre-empted by federal law and that Congress may not act quickly enough to impact the situation for the thousands of people who may be impacted in Arizona and beyond. "We’re more concerned with what the executive branch will do," Newman said. TRANSCRIPT: THE PRESIDENT: Good morning, everybody. Thank you, Secretary Napolitano, for being here to administer the oath –for making it official. Thank you, also, for leading our efforts to achieve comprehensive immigration reform so that America keeps faith with our heritage as both a nation of immigrants and a nation of laws. [snip] In short, today we celebrate the very essence of the country that we all love — an America where so many of our forbearers came from someplace else; a society that’s been enriched by traditions and cultures from every corner of the world; a dynamic economy that’s constantly renewed by the talents and energies of each new citizen; and a people who understand that citizenship is not just a collection of rights, but it’s also a set of responsibilities. Like so many others, these men and women met their responsibilities. They played by the rules. They have earned their citizenship. And so on a day like this, we are also reminded of how we must remain both a nation of immigrants and a nation of laws. This includes fixing America’s broken immigration system. Over the years, many have attempted to confront this challenge, but passions are great and disagreements run deep. Yet surely we can all agree that when 11 million people in our country are living here illegally, outside the system, that’s unacceptable. The American people demand and deserve a solution. And they deserve common-sense, comprehensive immigration reform grounded in the principles of responsibility and accountability. Government has a responsibility to enforce the law and secure our borders and set clear rules and priorities for future immigration. And under Secretary Napolitano’s leadership at the Department of Homeland Security, that’s exactly what we’re doing. We’ve strengthened security at our borders, ports and airports and we will continue to do so, because America’s borders must be secure. That’s part of what these young people here today stand for. Businesses have a responsibility to obey the law and not undermine American workers, especially when so many Americans are out of work. Many businesses work to comply with the law every day. But for those that don’t — those that ignore the law and exploit and abuse vulnerable workers and try to gain an unfair advantage over all the businesses that do follow the law — we will hold them accountable. 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. So responsibility. Accountability. Common-sense, comprehensive immigration reform. I thank Secretary Napolitano for helping to lead our efforts, both on and off Capitol Hill. And I thank Senators Schumer and Graham for working with us to forge a bipartisan consensus on a framework for moving forward, and I welcome the commitment of House and Senate Democratic leaders to take action. I’ll continue to consult with Democrats and Republicans in Congress, and I would note that 11 current Republican Senators voted to pass immigration reform four years ago. I’m hopeful that they will join with Democrats in doing so again so we can make the progress the American people deserve. Indeed, our failure to act responsibly at the federal level will only open the door to irresponsibility by others. And that includes, for example, the recent efforts in Arizona, which threatened to undermine basic notions of fairness that we cherish as Americans, as well as the trust between police and their communities that is so crucial to keeping us safe. In fact, I’ve instructed members of my administration to closely monitor the situation and examine the civil rights and other implications of this legislation. But if we continue to fail to act at a federal level, we will continue to see misguided efforts opening up around the country. As a nation, as a people, we can choose a different future — a future that keeps faith with our history, with our heritage, and with the hope that America has always inspired in the hearts of people all over the world. For just as each of these 24 new citizens once cast their eyes upon our country from afar, so too, somewhere in the world today is a young boy or a young girl wondering if they, too, might someday share in America’s promise. In the example of these new citizens, and in the actions we take as a nation, let us offer our answer, with confidence and optimism. Yes, there is a place called America that still welcomes those “yearning to breathe free.” A country where if you work hard and meet your responsibilities, you can pursue your dreams. A society where out of many, we are one — “one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.” That’s the promise of America. That is the spirit that all of you are renewing here today. We are incredibly proud of you, God bless you, and may God bless the United States of America. (Applause.)