If Sensenbrenner would back off on Real ID, the Senate would back off on attaching the compromise reform bill.
If that's the strategy, and it may be it's doomed to fail. There isn't going to be the kind of liberal guest worker program coming from the House you might get out of the Senate if it has to go through committees.
Those who favor open borders, which appears to be the entire Senate would have a much stronger shot attaching it as an amendment such as this one and taking their chances in Conference.