BIG DEAL: A bipartisan group of eight leading senators pledge to get a wide-ranging immigration bill through the Senate by summer.

BIG BUT: President Barack Obama is committed to enacting comprehensive immigration legislation, but passage is far from assured. The tallest hurdle could come in the House, which is dominated by conservative Republicans who've shown little interest in immigration reform.

NEW PATH: Proposals include a path to citizenship for 11 million illegal immigrants already here and reform of the legal immigration system. That includes awarding green cards to immigrants who obtain advanced degrees in science, math, technology or engineering.