The United States is to stop deporting illegal immigrants who arrived as children.
Under a new plan, those aged between 16 and 30 who have lived in the US continuously for five years would be eligible to stay and apply for work permits.
About 800,000 people could be spared deportation under the new rules announced by the federal government. The plan goes into effect immediately.
The BBC reports the move is seen as addressing a key Latino concern in an election year.
President Barack Obama is to address the Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials next week.
But Senator Lindsey Graham, (Republican) said the decision avoids dealing with Congress, instead of ''fixing a broken immigration system once and for all."
