On Thursday, President Barack Obama called on Congress to pass comprehensive immigration reform, which he said is being stalled in the House by Republican leaders. 

According to Reuters, Obama said at a White House conference that there are a number of Republicans in both the House and Senate who know that passing immigration reform "is the right thing to do."

"I also know it's hard politics for Republicans because there are some in their base that are very opposed to this," he said.

"Right now what's holding us back is House Republican leadership not willing to go ahead and let the process move forward," the president added. 

On Wednesday, Obama met with House Majority Leader Eric Cantor to discuss immigration reform. After the meeting, Cantor issued a statement that Obama did not know how to work with Congress, insinuating that the president "attacked" those on the other side of the aisle with whom he needed to collaborate. 

But at the news conference, Obama said the meeting was not as tense as Cantor seemed to imply. 

"What I said to him privately ... is something that I've said publicly, which is there is bipartisan support for comprehensive immigration reform," Obama said. "It would strengthen our economy, it would help with our security and it would provide relief to families, many of whom have lived here for years and have children and family members who are U.S. citizens. The Congress should act."

House Speaker John Boehner said he would not bring the comprehensive immigration reform bill, which was passed by the Senate last June, to a vote in the House.

Even though the bill has strong bipartisan support, he said he favors a piecemeal approach for the passage of immigration reform. 

Immigration activists are also pressuring Obama to unilaterally ease deportations on some undocumented immigrants. While Obama has said that he cannot act unilaterally, he recently said the administration is now reviewing its options.