President Barack Obama and Arizona Senator John McCain will meet at the White House on Thursday to discuss the next step in immigration reform.

This would not mark the first time in recent history that the former rivals, who faced each other in the 2008 presidential election, would meet up. McCain went to the White House for a meeting with Obama earlier in the fall, when the United States at the height of the potential involvement in Syria. 

Both Obama and McCain have pushed immigration at a time when the issue has been constantly interrupted by external factors. Most recently the partial government shutdown stalled immigration talks and Obama vowed to put immigration back to the forefront of the list of issues that need to be addressed as soon as possible.

Along with McCain, another key Republican that has been outspoken on immigration has been Rep. Bob Goodlatte, who has had mixed views on the issue but still has pushed congress to move forward. Among other Republicans who have voiced support for a pathway to citizenship include New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, who has also said that his state should offer college tuition to undocumented immigrations.

"What's been encouraging is, is that there are a number of House Republicans who have said, we think this is the right thing to do, as well," Obama said during a meeting with business executives earlier in the week. "And it's my estimation that we actually have votes to get comprehensive immigration reform done in the House right now."