Hillary Rodham Clinton stated public support for President Barack Obama's decision to use executive action to protect roughly 5 million immigrants from deportation. This announcement is setting up to be a sharp contrast with Republican politicians and could become a highly contested topic of debate in the 2016 presidential election.

"I think the president took an historic step and I support it," Clinton said while making an appearance at the New York Historical Society.

The former secretary of state said Obama's actions were in line with past moves from both Democratic and Republican presidents to reform issues. She also urged Congress to "follow the lead" of the president by approving a measure that passed in the Senate last year.

The potential Democratic presidential nominee also said this reform would help focus on the families affected by immigration law, many of whom she said were longtime U.S. residents who pay taxes and raise children.

"This is about people's lives," Clinton said. She also added that it was about "people who serve us tonight, who prepared the food tonight."

Critics of Obama's Thursday night message, mostly Republicans from Congress, claim the president overstepped his political powers.

And while the former first lady has not officially announced whether she will be running as the first female presidential candidate, she has been seen having conversations with political allies in her political party.

Ready for Hillary, a Democratic super PAC unaffiliated with Clinton that is gearing up for her campaign, held a meeting of 200 financial backers to prepare in case Clinton announces her candidacy.

"It was a leap of faith," Harold Ickes, who worked in Bill Clinton's White House, said of the Ready for Hillary effort. "We didn't know if people would come to us, but we now have 3 million names, which will be important to her if she runs."

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