Obama Believes Boehner Will Pass Immigration Reforms This Year

Some think it's a dead issue for now

President Obama has told Senate Democrats he expects Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) to pass immigration reform this year, defying predictions the issue is dead for 2014.

Obama believes Republicans will feel politically vulnerable, if they fail to advance the issue, a high priority among Hispanic voters, according to Democratic senators who met with the president this week.

Obama sees immigration reform as a source for optimism in what has otherwise shaped up as a tough year for Democrats.