CHARLOTTE -- Concerns are growing among immigrant families as the future of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, or DACA, remains unclear.
President Trump is using the Labor Day weekend to decide if he wants to keep or end the program. White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said the president will announce his decision on Tuesday.
A small group of protesters gathered in uptown Charlotte on Friday morning to defend DACA.
They say families who are protected under DACA are hard-working people who deserve a chance to stay in this country and eventually become American citizens.
DACA is a program that helps undocumented immigrants who were brought to this country as children to get jobs. The program also protects them from deportation for two years as long as they meet some requirements.
DACA began five years ago when former President Barack Obama signed an executive order.
Activists say this program is an important program for immigrant families in North Carolina, and they want this program preserved.
"We want a dream act. But we want DACA preserved until a dream act is passed...In the end, we also want a permanent legislative solution for all of the 11 million," said Hector Vaca, Action NC.
Sen. Thom Tillis is working on a plan that could replace DACA.
His spokesperson said it could create a fair but rigorous process toward permanent residency.