President Barack Obama could be just days away from announcing executive orders that would protect nearly 5 million undocumented immigrants from deportation.

White House officials say the president plans to bypass Congress and sign his own plan into action.

Officials add that some of the components of the plan would include granting citizenship to parents of children who are American citizens and those who came to the United States as kids.

Sources say the plan would make clear that deportations should still be the policy for convicted criminals.

Republicans have strongly opposed the move and say it could trigger another government shutdown.

In the House of Representatives, Republicans are intensely debating how they should respond to the president. Some want to use upcoming must-pass spending bills to block Obama's move. Suing the president over the move has also come up as a possibility.

White House officials say any executive action could come as soon as next week.