Updated 3:21pm: Barack Obama is being accused of acting like an emperor, by making executive decisions on immigration.

The US president has announced sweeping reforms, which lift the threat of deportation from millions of undocumented immigrants.

His plans have enraged Republicans though, who say what he's doing amounts to an amnesty.

"And 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 have one answer - pass a Bill."

House Speaker John Boehner has slammed the move.

"With this action the president has chosen to deliberately sabotage any chance of enacting bipartisan reforms that he claims to seek.

"He's damaging the presidency itself."