The White House says President Barack Obama is nearing a final decision on what executive actions he'll take on immigration, according to the Associated Press.

Obama has pledged to act on immigration before the end of the year. But Republicans who will control both chambers of Congress come January are threatening a showdown in an attempt to stop him.

Immigration activists want Obama to halt deportations for millions. White House spokesman Josh Earnest said Obama still hasn't decided what actions he'll take.

Earnest says Obama has been discussing options with Cabinet officials. Final recommendations are expected after Obama returns from Australia on Sunday, Nov 16.

Earnest also said that, if the House were to later pass a Senate-passed immigration bill, Obama would sign it in a way that supersedes his executive actions.