President Obama Announces Executive Action for Immigration Reform

President Barack Obama announced Thursday night he will use executive action to reform the "broken" immigration system in the United States.

“[The immigration system has] been this way for decades. And for decades we haven't done much about it," said Obama in his speech.

The president's plan could protect people living in the U.S. illegally with no criminal record from deportation because "we were strangers once, too," Obama said.

The president said in his speech that his plan entails more resources for law enforcement by the border, an easier way for "high-skilled immigrants" to stay and contribute to the economy, and dealing responsibly with the "undocumented immigrants" who already live in the U.S.

“If President Obama acts in defiance of the people and imposes his will on the country, Congress will act,” Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, R-Kentucky, told The New York Times.

Los Angeles City Councilman Curren Price agreed with President Obama's actions and said it is “critical” that the U.S. immigration system is fixed.