What is DACA?

"DACA" stands for "deferred action for childhood arrivals."

The government program was announced June 15, 2012. 

The Department of Homeland Security describes it like this: 

• Certain people who came to the United States as children and meet several guidelines may request consideration of deferred action for a period of two years, subject to renewal. 
• They are also eligible for work authorization. Deferred action is a use of prosecutorial discretion to defer removal action against an individual for a certain period of time. 
• Deferred action does not provide lawful status.

DACA guidelines

You may request DACA if you:

• Were under the age of 31 as of June 15, 2012;
• Came to the United States before reaching your 16th birthday;
• Have continuously resided in the United States since June 15, 2007, up to the present time;
• Were physically present in the United States on June 15, 2012, and at the time of making your request for consideration of deferred action with USCIS;
• Had no lawful status on June 15, 2012;
• Are currently in school, have graduated or obtained a certificate of completion from high school, have obtained a general education development (GED) certificate, or are an honorably discharged veteran of the Coast Guard or Armed Forces of the United States; and
• Have not been convicted of a felony, significant misdemeanor,or three or more other misdemeanors, and do not otherwise pose a threat to national security or public safety.

Read more about DACA and the filing process here. 

RELATED: Thousands caught in middle ahead of President Trump's decision on DACA program

Why DACA could end

President Trump's administration is pushing for an end to DACA as part of a stricter immigration policy. Attorney General Jeff Sessions is expected to announce an end to the program during a news conference Tuesday morning. 

The issue then would head to Congress. Republican and Democratic leadership will have decide on a compromise that would keep the nearly 800,000 people who benefit from the program from having their lives upended.

Trump tweeted Monday morning: