“The single most counter-productive thing that immigration activists can do is go into a Republican office and protest. The single most effective thing they can do is register in a Republican primary [election] and promise to vote against any Republican that does not support immigration reform.

The Washington-based coordinator of the pro-reform lobbying effort, Frank Sharry, disagrees.

“Politics is about pressure. It is about organizing, it is about mobilizing. It is about getting your voice heard,” says he.

Sharry adds that lawmakers are feeling pressure from a broad coalition, not just street activists.

“They are hearing from the immigrants in their community, the business people, the tech entrepreneurs, the evangelical pastors, the Catholic bishops, and union leaders. That is a pretty unusual thing in American politics. So we are hopeful,” adds Sharry.

But House Speaker John Boehner has ruled out a vote on the comprehensive immigration bill passed by the Senate, preferring to start with law enforcement.

“It is clear that securing our borders and having the ability to enforce our immigration laws is the first big step in this process,” says Boehner.

Strategist Feehery says the Republican approach enjoys broad support.

“Poll after poll show the Republican [voter] base does not want a so-called 'amnesty' bill to pass. And anything of a comprehensive nature is called amnesty. So that makes it difficult for Republican leaders to get that necessary legislative fix done,” says Feehery.