With President Barack Obama poised to move on executive amnesty, a Republican House member is looking to block any illegal immigrant beneficiaries from obtaining work permits. 

Rep. Lou Barletta (R-PA) introduced legislation Thursday — the day Obama is set to announce his executive actions on immigration to the nation — to prevent illegal immigrants shielded from deportation by Obama’s expected executive amnesty from getting work authorization.

“The president has already said publicly 25 times that he doesn’t have the power to do what he is now going to do,” Barletta said. “He’s planning to reward one illegal act with an illegal act of his own.  And he’s sticking his finger into the eyes of millions of legal residents who didn’t have a job this morning.”

Bartletta’s “Defense of Legal Workers Act,” according to the Pennsylvania lawmaker’s office, would amend current law to include illegal immigrants granted executive amnesty from being authorized to work. 

“Everyone knows that when you apply for a job, you have to fill out that I-9 form and demonstrate that you’re legally eligible to work here,” the Republican continued in a statement. “The president wants to say that there are some people who just won’t have to worry about that. That’s not fair to everyone who has followed our immigration laws and wants a job.”

Thursday evening Obama is expected to announce his anticipated, controversial executive actions on immigration. Reports indicate he will grant legal status to some 5 million illegal immigrants, possibly making them eligible to obtain work permits.

Last month, Breitbart News reported that U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has issued a draft solicitation for material to make millions of green cards and work permits. 

“It’s obvious that the president has been planning to grant sweeping amnesty to many millions of illegal immigrants who will compete for American jobs, and the ordering of card stock to make identification cards was just laying the groundwork,” Barletta said Thursday.

He went on to argue that Obama’s timing is that much more painful given there will be “more competition for jobs right before Thanksgiving and Christmas.”

While House Republicans have yet to announce their official response to the yet to be announced actions, Bartletta said he favors blocking any funding for such an action.