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May 28, 10:21 PM EDT

A mayor opposes English provision of immigration bill

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- If an amendment to a federal immigration bill making English the national language is strictly enforced it could result in people who provide emergency services being unable to communicate with those in need, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa said Sunday.

The mayor, appearing on CNN's "Late Edition" with Wolf Blitzer, said he is "on board, basically" with many of the proposals contained in the immigration bill adopted by the Senate last week.

The bill would tighten border security, offer a guest worker program and provide a chance at citizenship for millions of illegal immigrants already in the country. It would also require that the U.S. government "preserve and enhance the role of English as the national language."

"Unless specifically stated in applicable law, no person has a right, entitlement, or claim to have the government of the United States or any of its officials or representatives act, communicate, perform or provide services, or provide materials in any language other than English," the amendment states.

Attorney General Alberto Gonzales said Sunday he doesn't believe the amendment would negate any current laws, but Villaraigosa foresees problems.

"Well, what it means is you won't be able to communicate with people for badly needed services. They could be emergency services. They could be services for medical care," he said.

He also noted that the Senate made no provisions to help immigrants learn English.

"They didn't allocate money so people can learn English. I can tell you that, here in Los Angeles, there are lines, thousands of people waiting to learn English in our adult schools," he said.

"Having said that," I do support ... this broad immigration reform," Villaraigosa said.

A similar bill in the House of Representatives does not include a provision allowing a chance at citizenship for illegal immigrants, and Rep. James Sensenbrenner said Sunday that could prevent the two sides from reaching agreement on a final proposal.