WASHINGTON — With immigration reform legislation facing long odds in the Republican House, President Obama is facing renewed pressure from Democrats to take executive action to stop deporting illegal aliens.

“It’s time for President Obama to step up and do everything within his power to ease the plight of the men, women and children suffering from our broken immigration system,” said Rep. Raul Grijalva (D-Ariz.).

The climate for congressional action on the controversial issue has grown bleaker, as Republicans wade through ideological fights in primary elections and as the nation confronts an influx at the southern border.