House Republican leaders will begin to engage next week on immigration reform, launching a series of listening sessions.  The sessions will be led by House Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy (R-CA), House Judiciary Chairman Robert W. Goodlatte (R-VA), and Rep.  Trey Gowdy (R-SC), who serves as chairman of the Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration and Border Security.  This move could potentially signal that party leaders are focusing on how they could actually move legislation.  Rep Gowdy said that the meetings are not meant to craft legislation but rather are for the purpose of “purely educating members on the current law.”  “Vote your conscience, vote your district, but at least know what the current law is before you do,” he said.

Several sources had indicated that House Republican leaders may not be inclined to move comprehensive immigration reform, but would prefer to tackle reform in pieces.  Those pieces could include easing immigration restrictions on highly skilled workers and providing a path to legalization for undocumented immigrants brought by their parents illegally to the United States.

Small bipartisan groups of House members and Senators have been working separately to hash out a compromise agreement.  However, the desire by Republican leaders to move immigration bills piecemeal could conflict with the bipartisan group of house negotiators who are trying to craft a comprehensive solution.