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President Barack Obama has ordered far-reaching changes to the US immigration system that will protect nearly five 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 five 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 “common-sense” 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’ve 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. – Al Jazeera