Obama defies Congress with biggest changes in nearly three decades

US President Barack Obama invited a showdown with newly empowered Republicans in Congress, ordering far-reaching changes to the country's immigration system that will protect nearly 5 million people from deportation while testing the limits of his presidential powers.

In a televised address on Thursday, Obama described the most sweeping changes to immigration laws in nearly three decades, saying that issuing executive orders was a "common sense" plan consistent with what previous presidents of both parties had done.

Immigrants living illegally in the United States would be saved from deportation by receiving work permits; millions more would remain in limbo.

Obama sought to break a stalemate in the US' long-simmering debate over immigration by cutting out Congress, confronting Republicans who swept congressional elections earlier this month and all but ensuring that the contentious debate will carry on into the 2016 presidential campaign.

Furious 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.

John Boehner, House of Representatives Speaker, said Obama's decision to go it alone "cemented his legacy of lawlessness and squandered what little credibility he had left".

Obama said: "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."

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 are seeking to avoid a government shutdown, saying that such moves could backfire and anger voters ahead of the next presidential election in two years.

In a bind

Republicans are in a bind over immigration: The US electorate is rapidly becoming more diverse, especially more Hispanic. Republican leaders have said the party risks its long-term future if it does not act to solve US immigration problems.

The White House says the president is exercising his executive authority to tackle immigration reform unilaterally, as Republicans Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush did before him.

Obama, who had been weighing potential executive actions since early summer, planned to sign a pair of presidential memorandums on Friday.

As Obama spoke from the White House, immigration supporters with US flags draped over their shoulders marched on the street outside carrying signs that read, "Gracias, Presidente Obama".

AP - AFP - Reuters

Isabel Medina, 41, a non-citizen, with her sons Rayan Ortiz (left), 6, and Jimmy Ortiz, 8, wait on Thursday in Los Angeles for US President Barack Obama's announcement on immigration reform. Ringo Chiu / Agence France-Presse

(China Daily 11/22/2014 page12)