Senate Democratic leaders are telling President Barack Obama they strongly support his plans to take executive action to overhaul the nation’s immigration system.

A letter signed by six top lawmakers, including Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada, says deportation relief for people with strong ties to the U.S. would help the economy and American workers.

It comes with Obama poised to act as soon as this week to extend protections from deportation for as many as 5 million immigrants in the country illegally.

Congressional Republicans are in an uproar over the plans and are debating how to thwart the president.

The letter released Monday puts Senate Democratic leaders strongly on record in favor of the president acting. Obama delayed taking action earlier this year because of Senate Democrats’ political concerns.

(AP)