The Minister for Foreign Affairs has welcomed the US President's new plans on immigration.

Charlie Flanagan says the measures which could spare five million immigrants from deportation will represent a first step forward for many.

For the first time in years, undocumented Irish will now be able to travel home under a legal visa.

In a long-awaited announcement, Barack Obama promised to increase border guards to help stem immigration.

The plan will allow undocumented migrants who have been living illegally in the United States for five years and have US-born children to apply for three year work permits.

President Obama said the efforts of enforcement officers would be against criminals, not ordinary people.