>> we have a lot of children suffering as a result of deportation. >> reporter: after years of inaction, president obama will offer temporary legal status and work permits to up to 5 million undocumented immigrants. >> everybody agrees that our immigration system is broken. >> reporter: sources familiar with the president's plan tell abc news the focus is on keeping families united, lifting the threat of deportation from students who came to the u.s. as children and undocumented parents of kids who were born here. >> all of a sudden, they could be separated from you because i'm here and this is my home, but they are not legal. >> reporter: it may be welcome relief, but it's only temporary and does not include a pathway to citizenship or access to federal health care benefits. the president's plan is expected to include more visas for high skilled workers and beefed up security along the southwest border. in the latest abc news/"washington post" poll, a majority of americans support presidential action on immigration. >> the country is going to go nuts. >> reporter: congressional republicans warn the president's move could even spark violence.