With Republican support, which was gained only after Democrats agreed to throw out a controversial amendment, the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee moved comprehensive immigration legislation to the floor for a vote. Many more battles, such as one over mandatory use of E-Verify, are expected.

In a sign that Congress is moving forward on immigration reform, however sluggishly, the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee recently gave its approval to comprehensive immigration legislation. A Senate floor vote on the bill is expected in late June.

The committee endorsement was contingent upon Democrats dropping demands for an amendment that would give gay and lesbian spouses of U.S. citizens the same immigration prospects as heterosexual spouses. Conservatives had labeled the amendment as a deal breaker.

Clearing this hurdle, which was placed in the bill's path only recently by Chairman Patrick Leahy, a Vermont Democrat, does not ease its way much. Still to be worked out are disagreements over border security, the use of public funds for immigrants' health care and the use of the E-Verify employment verification system.

In the House, a group working on immigration legislation recently reached a tentative arrangement on the healthcare problem last week but it is believed to be on shaky ground.

House Speaker John Boehner issued a joint statement with Majority Leader Eric Cantor, Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy, Republican Conference Chairman Cathy McMorris Rodgers, and Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte asserting that in spite of the recent approval in the Senate, the House will not accept the Senate's version and will instead craft its own legislation to pass immigration reform.

In a Washington Post-ABC News poll just released, 58 percent of Americans, but only 42 percent of Republican voters, support a path to citizenship for those currently living in the United States illegally.