WASHINGTON — A bipartisan group of House members working in secret on a comprehensive immigration bill is nearing completion and has met with party leaders to brief them, aides said Friday.

A spokesman for Republican House Speaker John Boehner said that Boehner had a good talk with Republicans Friday in the group and that the lawmakers have made real progress.

The group’s four Democrats met Thursday with Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, and Pelosi’s spokesman said she’s optimistic about the prospects for reform.

The group had hoped to release their bill around the time of the State of the Union last month, but now an aide says they will aim for early April, once Congress returns from a two-week recess.