King says House Speaker John Boehner worked for months on a plan providing legalization rather than a path to citizenship. However, King says Boehner was met with significant opposition at a recent GOP conference.

Last summer, 68 senators approved a bill allowing undocumented immigrants to earn legal residency in 10 years and citizenship three years later. The legislation never made it to the House floor. King says even though he doesn't see the issue being taken up in the House in the coming months, he says Boehner wants to come up with a plan. 

The round-table discussion was hosted by Make the Road New York. Carlos Reyes, a member of the group, says the fight for immigration reform has gone on for too long.

"We've been waiting and fighting for many years," Reyes said. "The reality is not what we expected. We thought by now immigration reform would have passed already."

King told Long Island residents that he feels this issue should be brought up during the next presidential election. He has said that he's exploring a possible run for the White House.