Immigration Reform 2014: Republicans Expected to Introduce Four Immigration Reform Bills in 2014

House Republicans are expected to make the first steps toward passing immigration reform before the end of 2014. 

According to Politico, House Republicans are expected to vote on four bills by the end of the summer, including one that would give undocumented workers legal status. 

While none of the bills are likely to offer a pathway to citizenship, the fact that Republicans are offering up piecemeal legislation means they realize the need to pass some form of immigration reform to remain politically viable. 

On Thursday, Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis., told the local chambers of commerce in San Antonio, Texas that Republicans must help undocumented immigrants "come out of the shadows and reintegrate into society."

One bill includes requiring immigrants to learn English and civics and pay taxes and fines. The other three bills would legalize children brought into the country illegally, and would cover the tracking of foreign nationals and visas for low-skilled workers. The House has already passed high-skilled worker and border security bills. 

Republicans are offering up piecemeal legislation in order to reject the Senate's comprehensive immigration reform bill that was passed last June. 

Republicans want to include language in the bills that would force President Barack Obama to enforce the totality of the bills passed. Ryan, who is helping craft the bills, said Republicans "have to find a way to write these laws that they are actually enforced."

"That's very, very important to us," he added. 

The GOP will release principles for immigration reform by Jan. 29, which is when the party heads to Cambridge, Md. for a two-day retreat. 

Top GOP leaders are also meeting with Illinois Democratic Rep. Luis Gutierrez, a proponent of reform, to try and gain his support. Republican Reps. Mario Diaz-Balart of Florida, Raúl Labrador of Idaho and Rep. Ryan have all talked separately with Gutierrez to try to gain his support so they can call their multi-bill plan bipartisan. 

Rebecca Tallent, Speaker Boehner's top immigration aide, has also been meeting with business groups so they can have buy-in to the reform process. 

While it seems like the GOP has decided it would be politically advantageous to start the immigration reform process, most top Republican aides say it is all "a show" to prepare the party for 2015, when passing immigration will be easier. 

However, many are looking to push forward with reform this year. Majority Leader Eric Cantor, R-Va., wants to pass Dream Act Light, which is a way to legalize children who are in the U.S. illegally. Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., also called for a pathway to legalization on a a local television interview, as he has a large undocumented immigrant population in his district. 

But new pressure on Republicans from Democratic Sen. Chuck Schumer could backfire, and many GOP House members are already imploring their base to call their district offices to affirm their opposition to immigration reform. 

"If these principles are insufficient that's what we'll continue to be doing, rallying our members to rally their friends," said Roy Beck, head of NumbersUSA, an anti-immigraiton group. "We will continue to do what we have been doing ... to make sure that at least 118 House Republicans don't want to deal with it. Right now, we hope it's 180 to 200."