President Barack Obama announced an executive order on immigration reform Thursday at the White House, which he will sign on Friday.

The actions will affect up to 5 million undocumented immigrants in the U.S., many of whom are the parents or spouses of legal residents. The president called his actions "a commonsense middle ground approach," as he continued to push Congress to pass a comprehensive bill reforming the country's immigration system.

"Undocumented workers broke our immigration laws, and I believe they must be held accountable -- especially those who may be dangerous. That's why, over the past six years, deportation of criminals are up 80 percent. And that's why we're going to keep focusing enforcement resources on actual threats to our security. Felons, not families. Criminals, not children. Gang members, not a mother who's working hard to provide for her kids. We'll prioritize, just like law enforcement does every day," said Obama.

President Obama said millions of immigrants are living in every state, of every race and nationality and tracking down and deporting those who were not living in the country legally "isn't realistic."

"Most of these immigrants have been here a long time. They work hard, often in tough, low-paying jobs. They support their families. They worship at our churches. Many of their kids are American-born or spent most of their lives [in the U.S.]," said Obama.

"So we're going to offer the following deal: If you've been in America for more than five years; if you have children who are American citizen or legal residents; if you register, pass a criminal background check, and you're willing to pay your fair share of taxes -- you'll be able to apply to stay in this country temporarily, without fear of deportation. You can come out of the shadows and get right with the law," the president added.

The U.S. will also increase security at the borders and focus deportation efforts on criminals and potential security threats rather than families.

For those in Congress who questioned his authority to make the immigration system work better, President Obama had an answer, "Pass a bill."

"I have seen the determination of immigrant fathers who worked two or three jobs, without taking a dime from the government, and at risk at any moment of losing it all, just to build a better life for their kids. I've seen the heartbreak and anxiety of children whose mothers might be taken away from them just because they didn't have the right papers. I've seen the courage of students who, except for the circumstances of their birth, are as American as Malia and Sasha; students who bravely come out as undocumented in hopes they could make a difference in a country they love," said the president.

If Congress doesn't enact permanent immigration reform, Obama's plan could be reversed by the new president in just over two years.