AKIPRESS.COM - President Barack Obama is close to announcing major changes to the US immigration system through executive action, US media report.

Reports in the New York Times and Fox News say Mr Obama is planning to extend protection from deportation to some parents of legal US residents.

The overall plan is estimated to affect as many as five million undocumented immigrants living in the US.

Republicans in Congress say such action would be beyond Mr Obama's authority, reports BBC.

"We're going to fight the president tooth and nail if he continues down this path," House Speaker John Boehner told reporters.

Mitch McConnell, the incoming Senate majority leader, urged the president to "work with us to try to find a way to improve our immigration system".

"The president has been told over and over and over again - and we're telling him again today - don't do this because his executive actions are not permanent changes," he said.

The president also faces pressures from within his own party. Top Senate Democrat Harry Reid urged Mr Obama only to take action after Congress passes a bill funding the government past 11 December.

"It's up to him," Mr Reid said. "But I'd like to get the finances of this country out of the way before he does it."

Some Republicans are pushing for the budget bill to include a statement prohibiting "the use of appropriated funds for the president's immigration machinations".

Such a move could provoke a block by the Democrats, or a veto by the president, which in turn raises the risk of a government shutdown.