SACRAMENTO (AP) — Gov. Jerry Brown is praising President Barack Obama’s executive actions on immigration while calling on Congress to “finish the job.”

The actions Obama announced Thursday night will make about 5 million immigrants in the country eligible to avoid deportation.

Brown said in a statement that the president “stepped up for hard-working families across America” in the face of Washington gridlock.

He said the president did the right thing, while touting his own steps on immigration.

Brown signed what is known as the Dream Act, which permits college financial aid for top students seeking citizenship. He also approved driver’s licenses for those who are in California illegally. Among other protections, Brown approved providing legal services to unaccompanied minors arriving in California from Central America.

Both Brown and Obama are Democrats.