McCain said Obama requested the meeting, which comes at a time political momentum for immigration reform is flagging.

McCain and Obama need to shore up the support of wavering allies such as Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), who has backed off the push to overhaul the nation’s immigration laws in a 1,200-page comprehensive bill.

Rubio has said the Senate should not try to merge its comprehensive bill with a piecemeal measure coming out of the House.