It's slow going for immigration reform in the House of Representatives, but there are indications that progress has been made.

Earlier this week, House Speaker John Boehner endorsed a path to citizenship for DREAMers, undocumented immigrants brought to the United States as children.

"These children were brought here of no accord of their own, and frankly they're in a very difficult position," Boehner said. "And I think many of our members believe that this issue needs to be addressed."

That's a long way from the Republican Party's position in 2011, when Gov. Rick Perry of Texas was vilified during the Republican presidential primaries for advocating the same position. Though Perry's "oops" moment was the death blow for his candidacy, he began to lose support earlier, after he expressed support for the DREAMers.

Evangelical groups are also lining up behind immigration reform. Traditionally Republican churches are coming out in support of reform because much of their growth comes from Latino and undocumented immigrants. Many churches have seen the effects of harsh immigration policies on members of their own congregations.

The Evangelical Immigration Table, a group of churches and faith-based organizations that supports immigration reform, will be meeting with House Republican leaders next week to discuss the Senate's bill. "If they deport 11 million immigrants, they will be deporting the future of the American church," said Jim Wallis, of the progressive religious group Sojourners.

However, heavy support from moderate Republicans may still not be enough to usher reform through the increasingly conservative House. "Here is a fact: We are not winning," said Sen. John McCain of Arizona, one of the leaders of the "Gang of Eight" and a primary author of the Senate's immigration bill. "There are many members of the House who don't want to take up any bill at all."

If Congress cannot come to an agreement by the end of the summer, prospects dwindle even further as members begin to prepare for elections next year.