During Hillary Clinton's first 2016 campaign stop at Rancho High School Nevada on May 5, she said that she strongly in favor of comprehensive immigration reform, including a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants living in the US.

She said he US needs to fix its broken immigration system and slammed Republicans for giving illegal immigrants 'second-class status'. She singled out her potential Republican rivals, and mentioned that that not a single Republican is supporting a pathway to citizenship.

She also pledged that she would extend President Barack Obama's executive orders past their current boundaries if she becomes the president.

During a roundtable discussion with young Nevadans with undocumented families said, "We can't wait any longer for a path to full and equal citizenship. This is where I differ with everybody on the Republican side. Make no mistakes: today, not a single Republican candidate, announced or potential, is clearly or consistently supporting a path to citizenship".

GOP conservatives, including many in Congress, see a sharp legal distinction between immigrants who have entered the US legally with work permits and those who have moved across the country's border with Mexico.

They have has opposed immigration reform that includes a path to citizenship and managed to block attempts to legislate any kind of 'amnesty' that the Obama White House has demanded.

Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, who declared his presidential bid last month, helped to lead the comprehensive immigration bill that passed the Senate in 2013.

However, that measure ultimately died in the House. Rubio now said that he favors a gradual approach to the issue.

Forida Gov. Jeb Bush, who has not yet formally entered the race, has also taken a softer approach. He voiced his openness to a path to citizenship in the past but has recently taken to emphasizing a path to 'legal status'.