New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg on Thursday lauded immigration, promised tax relief and called for tough new anti-crime measures in a State of the City address at Flushing Meadows, in the Queens borough of New York City. His speech highlighted national issues as prominently as local concerns.

Bloomberg, who is reportedly considering an independent run at the US presidency, derided xenophobic politicians and said immigration and diversity were good for America. Bloomberg spoke against a backdrop of five ethnically diverse families living in Queens including an Indian-American one.

He took a shot at presidential candidates whose views he called anti-immigrant, using the stories of families of different racial and ethnic backgrounds to underscore the benefits of diversity.

The New York mayor addressed those politicians saying, 'Open your eyes. Take a look behind me. This is what makes America great,' gesturing to families on stage with him.

Image: New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg points to the Sreenivasan family, originally from India, while delivering the State of the City address at Corona Park in Flushing Meadows on January 17, 2008, in the Queens borough of New York City.

Photograph: Mario Tama/Getty Images