In an e-mail message, Stephen Colbert’s publicist tells me that the comedian will in fact be testifying Friday on Capitol Hill.

But when I asked whether Colbert’s testimony would be “in character” or serious; whether he was called as a witness by Republicans or Democrats; and about the nature of his expertise on immigration, the response I got was:

“That’s all of the information I can share at this time.”

Curiouser and curiouser.

UPDATE: A Republican House staffer with knowledge of the situation tells me the Democrats invited Colbert to testify before the Judiciary Committee, and that Republicans will have their own witness (whose name is embargoed until tomorrow). The staffer tells me the Republican witness is not another comedian, but an expert. Imagine that.