President Barack Obama has ordered far -reaching
changes to the US immigration system that will
protect nearly 5 million people from deportation ,
testing the limits of his presidential powers and
inviting a showdown with newly emboldened
Republicans .
In a speech on Thursday night , Obama announced
plans to protect nearly 5 million immigrants living
illegally in the United States from deportation by
granting them work permits ; millions more would
remain in limbo .
Obama said his executive actions were a
" commonsense" plan consistent with what
previous presidents of both parties had done .
" To those members of Congress who question my
authority to make our immigration system work
better , or question the wisdom of me acting where
Congress has failed , I have one answer : Pass a
bill ," Obama said .
Republicans , who take full control of Congress in
January after capturing the Senate from
Democrats , warned that Obama would face serious
consequences for what they described as an
unconstitutional power grab .
" The president will come to regret the chapter
history writes if he does move forward , " declared
Senator Mitch McConnell , the Republican who is
soon to become the Senate majority leader, hours
before Obama primetime address .
Republicans were united in opposing Obama's
move but divided on how to respond. Lawmakers
have raised options including lawsuits, a
government shutdown and even impeachment.
Party leaders who are seeking to avoid a
government shutdown say such moves could
backfire and anger voters ahead of the next
presidential election in two years .
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