Washington (CNN) -- President Barack Obama will unveil his long-awaited immigration plan Thursday evening, changing rules governing deportations that could affect millions of undocumented immigrants and setting off an explosive battle with Republicans.

Obama's prime-time address will be followed Friday by an event in Las Vegas, sources tell CNN. While exact details of his announcement aren't yet public, the basic outline of the plan, as relayed by people familiar with its planning, includes deferring deportation for the parents of U.S. citizens, a move that would affect up to 3.5 million people.

"Everybody agrees that our immigration system is broken. Unfortunately, Washington has allowed the problem to fester for far too long," Obama said in a video posted on his Facebook page Wednesday. "And so what I'm going to be laying out is the things that I can do with my lawful authority as President to make the system work better, even as I continue to work with Congress to encourage them to get a
bipartisan, comprehensive bill that can solve the entire problem."
Obama invited congressional Democratic leaders to the White House for a dinner Wednesday night to discuss his plans for an executive order, a source told CNN.

Actions 'huge' for Hispanic community Red News/Blue News: Debating immigration What's at stake in immigration debate?

The President declared in June he wouldn't wait for Congress to pass a comprehensive overhaul of the immigration system, initially saying he would announce changes by the end the summer. The decision was delayed until after the midterm elections, when the White House believed it wouldn't be caught up in campaign politics.

But Republicans are expressing deep anger at the anticipated move, saying unilateral action on immigration would forestall any legislative action.

Two House Republicans who would play a key role in crafting immigration legislation made a fresh call for Obama to hold off on his plans Wednesday -- and warned that if he goes ahead, they'll try to stop the White House from implementing his executive order.

"Instead of proceeding with ill-advised executive action, we implore you to work with Congress to enact legislation to address our broken immigration system," Homeland Security Chairman Michael

McCaul (R-Texas) and Judiciary Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) said in a letter to Obama.
"We strongly urge you to respect the Constitution and abandon any unconstitutional, unilateral executive actions on immigration. Let's secure the border, enforce our immigration laws in the interior of the United States, and build a broad consensus for immigration reform," they wrote. "Otherwise, as the chairmen of the committees with oversight over border security and our nation's immigration laws, we will be forced to use the tools afforded to Congress by the Constitution to stop your administration from successfully carrying out your plan."

White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest chided the GOP during his briefing Wednesday, saying concerns about how Obama's immigration move could affect the government funding debate and presidential nominations in the weeks ahead are "predicated on at least the premise that Republicans have been exceedingly cooperative with the president."

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid -- the Nevada Democrat who will lose his post once Republicans take control of the chamber in January -- lauded Obama's move, saying the GOP forced his hand.
"Comprehensive immigration reform brings relief to families being torn apart by our broken system," he said. "Comprehensive immigration reform is an economic issue and one we must address. That's why I have been so disappointed that Republicans have ducked, dodged and skirted taking up legislation this Congress forcing President Obama to act administratively."

What's in the plan
The contours of Obama's announcement have been the subject of speculation among immigration activists for months, though the White House has yet to officially relay what Obama will announce when he speaks to the American people on Thursday night.

Administration officials say a key part of the announcement will be allowing the parents of American citizens, who are undocumented immigrants themselves, to remain in the United States without the threat of deportation. That would include the parents of legal residents, but not the parents of children eligible for delayed deportation under a rule Obama enacted in 2012.

Up to 3.6 million people would be affected by that change, according to an estimate from the Migration Policy Institute, though the figures are smaller if Obama's announcement includes a minimum number of years spent in the country.

Mandating parents live in the U.S. for at least 5 years before becoming eligible would bring the number affected to 3.3 million; a 10-year minimum would bring it down further to an estimated 2.5 million people.

Other potential areas of reform include extending the deportation deferment for immigrants who were brought to the United States as children. Altering the age restrictions on that action could allow hundreds of thousands more people to remain in the United States.

Officials also said the plan could include a stronger focus on deporting criminals who are undocumented immigrants and an expansion of worker visas in areas like technology.

Lastly, the plan could include new resources to bolster security on the border. Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson said the "reforms will be comprehensive," and that border security measures will be included.

Obama's position on immigration could be a popular one. Despite an overall wave of support for GOP candidates, 57% of this year's midterm election voters believe undocumented immigrants should have a chance to apply for legal status, while just 39% want them deported to the country they came from, CNN's exit polls found.

Those exit polls found that 71% of U.S. midterm voters believe undocumented immigrants should be allowed to stay in the country legally if they meet certain requirements -- while 25% said those immigrants shouldn't be allowed to stay.

A September CBS/New York Times poll found 51% saying Obama should use his executive powers to address immigration if Congress fails to act while 43% said he should not. A similar ABC/Washington Post survey earlier that month found 52% support for Obama acting on his own.

A September CBS/New York Times poll found 51% saying Obama should use his executive powers to address immigration if Congress fails to act while 43% said he should not. A similar ABC/Washington Post survey earlier that month found 52% support for Obama acting on his own.

 LordofHats wrote:

A September CBS/New York Times poll found 51% saying Obama should use his executive powers to address immigration if Congress fails to act while 43% said he should not. A similar ABC/Washington Post survey earlier that month found 52% support for Obama acting on his own.

I find these numbers fascinating. 20 years ago I wouldn't think any executive action of this scale was fathomable, but now? I don't think it's even about Obama, or even Immigration, but another sign that voters are just getting increasingly tired of Congress. Even when a party holds a a super majority, they struggle to get legislation passed, and numerous long running issues in the US, like the budget and immigration, have become impossible for the legislature to even tackle.

 LordofHats wrote:
I more curious what might happen if this trend 1) proves true and that voters really are getting fed up with Congress, and 2) what will come of it?

I'd really like the 17th Amendment repealed. I think that particular change has been disastrous for us, and the old system of state legislatures appointing Senators worked much better. Not perfect, but I think I prefer it to the current status quo.

UNIVISION: Mr. President, my question will be as follows: With an executive order could you be able to stop deportations of the students? And if that’s so, that links to another question that we have received through Univision.com. We have received hundreds, thousands, all related to immigration.

J. Tamar, through Univision.com told us, I’m reading: What if at least you grant temporary protective status, TPS, to undocumented students. If your answer is yes, when? If no, why not?

OBAMA: First of all, temporary protective status historically has been used for special circumstances where you have immigrants to this country who are fleeing persecution in their countries. Or there’s some emergency situation in their native land that required them to come to the United States. So it would not be appropriate to use that just for a particular group that came here primarily, for example, because they were looking for economic opportunity.

With respect to the notion that I can just suspend deportations through executive order, that’s just not the case. Because there are laws on the books that Congress has passed. And I know that everybody here at Bell is studying hard so you know that we’ve got three branches of government. Congress passes the law. The executive branch’s job is to enforce and implement those laws. And then the judiciary has to interpret the laws.

There are enough laws on the books by Congress that are very clear in terms of how we have to enforce our immigration system that for me to simply, through executive order, to ignore those congressional mandates would not conform with my appropriate role as president. That does not mean, though, that we can’t make decisions, for example, to emphasize enforcement on those who’ve engaged in criminal activity. It also doesn’t mean that we can’t strongly advocate and propose legislation that would change the law in order to make it more fair, more just, and ultimately would help young people who are here trying to do the right thing and whose talents we want to embrace in order to succeed as a country.

 Dreadclaw69 wrote:
Seems he has had a change of heart from 2011

 daedalus wrote:

 Dreadclaw69 wrote:
Seems he has had a change of heart from 2011

Perhaps that's the change you can believe in?

 Sigvatr wrote:
Oh gosh, I hope that goes through. Obama would sabotage himself to such a ridiculous degree as he'd heavily offend Republicans and shut down any chance for cooperation in the long-term future.

It'll be hilarious.

 LordofHats wrote:

 Sigvatr wrote:
Oh gosh, I hope that goes through. Obama would sabotage himself to such a ridiculous degree as he'd heavily offend Republicans and shut down any chance for cooperation in the long-term future.

It'll be hilarious.

That long term future where he's never again a political leader?

 LordofHats wrote:
The Lame duck years where cooperation won't happen anyway? Oh yeah. A shame to ruin his chances of getting something he'll never get XD

 LordofHats wrote:

A September CBS/New York Times poll found 51% saying Obama should use his executive powers to address immigration if Congress fails to act while 43% said he should not. A similar ABC/Washington Post survey earlier that month found 52% support for Obama acting on his own.

I find these numbers fascinating. 20 years ago I wouldn't think any executive action of this scale was fathomable, but now? I don't think it's even about Obama, or even Immigration, but another sign that voters are just getting increasingly tired of Congress. Even when a party holds a a super majority, they struggle to get legislation passed, and numerous long running issues in the US, like the budget and immigration, have become impossible for the legislature to even tackle.

 Frazzled wrote:
Here's what Congress should do. Just a few thoughts.
1. Pass a border security act. Fund it appropriately. You'know its working when the price of illegal drugs skyrockets.
1a. devolve illegal drug legislation back to the states.
2. Pass a budget including #1 above. You have a constitutional duty inthis area. Quit ducking.
3. Begin tax reform.
4. Begin ACA reform (Frazzled translation-how can we quietly turn this into the Canadian System 'eh?)
5. Take six months for detailed analysis of what other countries are doing well economically and educationally. Steal their ideas and moon them when we do it.
6. Mandate full auto wiener dogs for every American.
7. Declare war or not against ISIS. You have a constitutonal duty in thia area. Quit ducking.
8. Review executive nominees with speed. With the exception of the judiciary, absent something significant, approve.
9. I forgot after 1 year with #1 working then pass comprehensive immigration reform, and by that I mean a one liner- " All illegal immigrants who can prove they were here before 2015, will now be granted visa as legal immigrants following a ful back ground check. Any criminal convictions during this time will result in immediate deportation."

 LordofHats wrote:

A September CBS/New York Times poll found 51% saying Obama should use his executive powers to address immigration if Congress fails to act while 43% said he should not. A similar ABC/Washington Post survey earlier that month found 52% support for Obama acting on his own.

I find these numbers fascinating. 20 years ago I wouldn't think any executive action of this scale was fathomable, but now? I don't think it's even about Obama, or even Immigration, but another sign that voters are just getting increasingly tired of Congress. Even when a party holds a a super majority, they struggle to get legislation passed, and numerous long running issues in the US, like the budget and immigration, have become impossible for the legislature to even tackle.

 jreilly89 wrote:
I'm actually really excited for Obama to be out of office. Not because I dislike him or his policies, but because we've had 8 years of scapegoating him and I'm excited to see what the Republicans do when he's no longer available to blame.

I honestly could care less about this immigration EO. Immigration has always been a mess and no president will ever fix it.

And to everyone saying that he refuses to work with Republicans, pretty sure Democrats and Republicans have never agreed to work together. Each side has always played to their own games, rather than work together for the sake of the people.

 jreilly89 wrote:
I'm actually really excited for Obama to be out of office. Not because I dislike him or his policies, but because we've had 8 years of scapegoating him and I'm excited to see what the Republicans do when he's no longer available to blame.

I honestly could care less about this immigration EO. Immigration has always been a mess and no president will ever fix it.

And to everyone saying that he refuses to work with Republicans, pretty sure Democrats and Republicans have never agreed to work together. Each side has always played to their own games, rather than work together for the sake of the people.

 Supertony51 wrote:

I can understand where people are coming from, as long as I can remember, the executive branch and the legislative branch haven't done much to get along and pass impacting legislation, other than the stuff right after 9/11.

It can look good temporarily, but is that really how we want our government to function? By Imperial decree?

 Frazzled wrote:

Here's what Congress should do. Just a few thoughts.
1. Pass a border security act. Fund it appropriately. You'know its working when the price of illegal drugs skyrockets.
1a. devolve illegal drug legislation back to the states.
2. Pass a budget including #1 above. You have a constitutional duty inthis area. Quit ducking.
3. Begin tax reform.
4. Begin ACA reform (Frazzled translation-how can we quietly turn this into the Canadian System 'eh?)
5. Take six months for detailed analysis of what other countries are doing well economically and educationally. Steal their ideas and moon them when we do it.
6. Mandate full auto wiener dogs for every American.
7. Declare war or not against ISIS. You have a constitutonal duty in thia area. Quit ducking.
8. Review executive nominees with speed. With the exception of the judiciary, absent something significant, approve.
9. I forgot after 1 year with #1 working then pass comprehensive immigration reform, and by that I mean a one liner- " All illegal immigrants who can prove they were here before 2015, will now be granted visa as legal immigrants following a ful back ground check. Any criminal convictions during this time will result in immediate deportation."

 Tannhauser42 wrote:

 Supertony51 wrote:

I can understand where people are coming from, as long as I can remember, the executive branch and the legislative branch haven't done much to get along and pass impacting legislation, other than the stuff right after 9/11.

Let's face it, a lot of that post 9/11 "cooperation" was basically because anyone could say "if you're against this law/bill/plan, then the terrorists win" and get just about whatever they want passed, because it was political suicide to even hint that you might not be strongly anti-terrorist enough.

It can look good temporarily, but is that really how we want our government to function? By Imperial decree?

What I want is for Congress to do it's fething job, something they have yet to do in this millenium (and even some time before that).

 Frazzled wrote:

Here's what Congress should do. Just a few thoughts.
1. Pass a border security act. Fund it appropriately. You'know its working when the price of illegal drugs skyrockets.
1a. devolve illegal drug legislation back to the states.
2. Pass a budget including #1 above. You have a constitutional duty inthis area. Quit ducking.
3. Begin tax reform.
4. Begin ACA reform (Frazzled translation-how can we quietly turn this into the Canadian System 'eh?)
5. Take six months for detailed analysis of what other countries are doing well economically and educationally. Steal their ideas and moon them when we do it.
6. Mandate full auto wiener dogs for every American.
7. Declare war or not against ISIS. You have a constitutonal duty in thia area. Quit ducking.
8. Review executive nominees with speed. With the exception of the judiciary, absent something significant, approve.
9. I forgot after 1 year with #1 working then pass comprehensive immigration reform, and by that I mean a one liner- " All illegal immigrants who can prove they were here before 2015, will now be granted visa as legal immigrants following a ful back ground check. Any criminal convictions during this time will result in immediate deportation."

Fully agreed.

 Frazzled wrote:

 LordofHats wrote:

A September CBS/New York Times poll found 51% saying Obama should use his executive powers to address immigration if Congress fails to act while 43% said he should not. A similar ABC/Washington Post survey earlier that month found 52% support for Obama acting on his own.

I find these numbers fascinating. 20 years ago I wouldn't think any executive action of this scale was fathomable, but now? I don't think it's even about Obama, or even Immigration, but another sign that voters are just getting increasingly tired of Congress. Even when a party holds a a super majority, they struggle to get legislation passed, and numerous long running issues in the US, like the budget and immigration, have become impossible for the legislature to even tackle.

Here's what Congress should do. Just a few thoughts.
1. Pass a border security act. Fund it appropriately. You'know its working when the price of illegal drugs skyrockets.
1a. devolve illegal drug legislation back to the states.
2. Pass a budget including #1 above. You have a constitutional duty inthis area. Quit ducking.
3. Begin tax reform.
4. Begin ACA reform (Frazzled translation-how can we quietly turn this into the Canadian System 'eh?)
5. Take six months for detailed analysis of what other countries are doing well economically and educationally. Steal their ideas and moon them when we do it.
6. Mandate full auto wiener dogs for every American.
7. Declare war or not against ISIS. You have a constitutonal duty in thia area. Quit ducking.
8. Review executive nominees with speed. With the exception of the judiciary, absent something significant, approve.
9. I forgot after 1 year with #1 working then pass comprehensive immigration reform, and by that I mean a one liner- " All illegal immigrants who can prove they were here before 2015, will now be granted visa as legal immigrants following a ful back ground check. Any criminal convictions during this time will result in immediate deportation."

Washington (CNN) -- President Barack Obama is ordering the most sweeping overhaul of the immigration system in decades, despite Republican claims he is acting illegally by moving unilaterally to shield five million undocumented immigrants.

Obama rejected accusations by conservatives that he is offering a free pass to undocumented immigrants and warned in a prime-time address that he would bolster border security and make it harder for unauthorized outsiders to get into the country.

"Today our immigration system is broken and everybody knows it," Obama said. "It's been this way for decades and for decades we haven't done much about it."

Obama is pressing ahead and making broad changes to the immigration system without the consent of Congress, which has failed to pass a comprehensive reform bill. The announcement prompted an angry response from House Speaker John Boehner.

"By ignoring the will of the American people, President Obama has cemented his legacy of lawlessness and squandered what little credibility he had left," Boehner said. "Republicans are left with the serious responsibility of upholding our oath of office."

A key element of Obama's plan is to instruct immigration authorities to target those undocumented immigrants who are dangerous rather than law-abiding undocumented parents of U.S. citizens and residents and others.

He said they will go after "felons, not families. Criminals, not children. Gang members, not a Mom who's working hard to provide for her kids."

"We'll prioritize, just like law enforcement does every day," he said.

The changes will offer those who qualify the chance to stay temporarily in the country for three years, as long as they pass background checks and pay back taxes. But they will not be offered a path to eventual citizenship or be eligible for federal benefits or health care programs. And, in theory, the measures could be reversed by a future president.

"If you meet the criteria, you can come out of the shadows and get right with the law. If you're a criminal, you'll be deported. If you plan to enter the U.S. illegally, your chances of getting caught and sent back just went up," Obama said.

The President argued that ordering a mass amnesty would be unfair but mass deportation would "be both impossible and contrary to our character."

Republicans are slamming Obama's use of executive authority as a mammoth presidential power grab. But Obama said he was acting in a manner consistent with action taken by Republican and Democratic presidents.

"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."
Officials insist that Obama's moves are deeply grounded in law and constitutional precedent, despite claims by Republicans that they represent an unlawful overreach of his authority as president and his oath of office.

"The actions you see here reasonably sit within his powers," one senior administration official said. "I think that they are bold and they are aggressive but they are in keeping with precedent."

Congressional Republicans are weighing their response, juggling ideas that range from a government shutdown to holding up Obama's nominees in the Senate.

The most far-reaching changes in Obama's order will offer papers and work authorization to up to four million people who are undocumented parents of U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents, as long as they have lived in the U.S. for five years or longer.

Obama will also remove the upper age limit of 30 years old from a program known as Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) or Dreamers that allows those brought illegally to the country as children to stay, offering relief to thousands more people.

The program will cover anyone who arrived in the country before 2010 and will extend a previous two-year guarantee of relief to three years.

But White House lawyers concluded the president did not have the power to offer parents of those covered under DACA permits to stay in the country and work, a move that will disappoint some immigration reform lobby groups.

In one concession however, parents of the so-called "Dreamers" will be removed from priority lists for deportation.

Officials said that the broad sweep of the immigration measures were within Obama's powers because he was directing authorities to prioritize which groups of the 11.4 million undocumented immigrants in the country should be deported.

"Deferred action is not a pathway to citizenship. It is not legal status. It simply says that for three years, you are not a law enforcement priority and are not going to go after you," said one senior official. "It is temporary and it is revocable."

Officials said law enforcement officials made similar decisions each day about which categories of offenders to target with prosecution and the president was simply charting a new way to apply existing immigration laws.

The new approach, which will begin to be phased in next spring, will include a more robust effort to target gang members, suspected terrorists, and felons.

It will also focus more sharply on undocumented immigrants who have recently crossed U.S. borders in a bid to slow the flow of illegal immigration, the officials said. New resources are also expected to be announced to secure borders, following claims that enforcement is lax and contributed to the flow of thousands of undocumented child migrants into the U.S. earlier this year, which sparked a hot political controversy.

In moves likely be applauded by the business community, the administration will also reform immigration rules to make it easier for science and technology students to study in the U.S. There will also be a new program to attract entrepreneurs to come to the U.S. if they can show they have sufficient investors.

The changes that Obama announced, however, fall far short of the reforms that could be enacted were Congress to pass a comprehensive immigration bill.

The president has no power to put undocumented immigrants on the long road to citizenship. He cannot grant permanent residence permits known as Green Cards, and all of his changes could be struck down by a future president.

Officials insisted that Obama's moves were consistent with immigration actions ordered by presidents, including Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush, for decades. The magnitude of the numbers involved here, however, surpass anything any president had done before.

 d-usa wrote:
One almost wonders if at this point Obama is just tired of the arguments and offering something nobody likes just to make them act. While the legislature is arguing about what to eat for dinner Obama puts a plated turd on the table and says "here, either cook your own dinner or eat gak".

Immigration is a weird bag, and the GOP is pulled apart on both sides of it by their supporters. Many individual conservatives are going to be against fixes that make it easier to stay, but big business is going to be in favor of reforms since it helps them out. Obama acting alone might be the best solution for the GOP since it lets them continue on the anti-Obama train and gets them reform without having to get their hands dirty.

Whatever the final result is going to be, executive action or forced legislative actions, it will have to include an amnesty component and a path to legal status for those already here.

All of us take offense to anyone who reaps the rewards of living in America without taking on the responsibilities of living in America. And undocumented immigrants who desperately want to embrace those responsibilities see little option but to remain in the shadows, or risk their families being torn apart.

I want to say more about this third issue, because it generates the most passion and controversy. Even as we are a nation of immigrants, we are also a nation of laws. Undocumented workers broke our immigration laws, and I believe that they must be held accountable -- especially those who may be dangerous. That's why, over the past six years, deportations of criminals are up 80 percent. And that's why we're going to keep focusing enforcement resources on actual threats to our security. Felons, not families. Criminals, not children. Gang members, not a mother who's working hard to provide for her kids. We'll prioritize, just like law enforcement does every day. . .

Now here's the thing: we expect people who live in this country to play by the rules. We expect that those who cut the line will not be unfairly rewarded. So we're going to offer the following deal: If you've been in America for more than five years; if you have children who are American citizens or legal residents; if you register, pass a criminal background check, and you're willing to pay your fair share of taxes -- you'll be able to apply to stay in this country temporarily, without fear of deportation. You can come out of the shadows and get right with the law.