(CNN) -- The stars seem to be aligning for immigration reform. The election of 2012 scared many Republicans into thinking that their increasingly hardline stance on immigration is cutting against big demographic changes. These Republicans fear that they might risk writing themselves off for decades to come, if the GOP loses a vital part of the electorate to Democrats. A growing number of prominent Republicans are coming out in favor of a liberalized immigration policy, including the tea party darlings Sens. Rand Paul and Marco Rubio. During a recent speech to the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Paul said that "immigration reform will not occur until conservative Republicans, like myself, become part of the solution." Democratic Sen. Chuck Schumer of New York announced that an eight-person bipartisan group will soon reach a deal to move forward in the Senate.
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Julian Zelizer: It appears that the opportunity for bold immigration reform has finally arrived
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Zelizer: A growing chorus of Republicans is coming around to endorsing reform
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He says with the right media attention and compromises in Washington, it could happen
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Zelizer: Immigration rights activists must also continue their grass-roots effort
While giving either Republican such a role might frustrate @placeholder who feel that their party is in command, the results could be powerful.