Donnelly sees Obama immigration move as too much

WASHINGTON - While much of the criticism of President Barack Obama's planned actions on immigration are coming from the Republican Party, count Indiana Democratic Sen. Joe Donnelly among the doubters as well.

The Hoosier lawmaker expressed frustrations with congressional Republicans, but warned that the president was going too far.

Obama is scheduled to address the nation at 8 p.m. Thursday to discuss what steps he is taking to protect millions of undocumented immigrants from deportation.

"It is clear the immigration system in this country is broken, and only Congress has the ability to change the law to fix it," Donnelly said in a statement Thursday afternoon.

"The Senate passed bipartisan immigration reform last summer with my support, though we are still waiting on the House to debate this issue," the senator said.

"I am as frustrated as anyone that Congress is not doing its job, but the president shouldn't make such significant policy changes on his own."

Donnelly's views are a departure from those of Democratic congressional leaders, who are backing Obama's decision, citing the inability of House Republicans to agree on a course of action on immigration legislation.