The Republicans in Congress are trying to block President Obama’s series of executive actions on immigration, which is intended to protect up to 5 million immigrants who are living illegally in the country from deportation.

Last Thursday, the House of Representatives voted 219 to 197 to nullify the action. House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, said “We’re looking at a variety of options, both for right now and when Republicans control both houses of the Congress next year,” but admits that “we have limited options and limited abilities to deal with it directly.”

Many say that the House of Representatives’ vote was largely a symbolic move intended to give Republicans an opportunity to vent. The White House has said it will veto any legislation that would undo the president’s move on immigration.

Source: Alan Rappeport, New York Times, “House Votes to Block Obama Action on Immigration”, 12/4/2014; Erin Kelly and Susan Davis, USA Today, “GOP: Few options to block Obama immigration plan”