Trump holds the fate of 800,000 young immigrants in his hands

US President Donald Trump plans to announce Tuesday his decision on whether to end an amnesty for hundreds of thousands of people brought to America illegally as minors and who for the most part are thoroughly integrated into US society.

His predecessor Barack Obama implemented the so-called DACA program — Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals — five years ago to help bring these young immigrants out of the shadows of illegality, permitting them to study and work without fear.

The debate over DACA has been intense on both sides. For days White House officials have insisted that numerous options are under study, warning against any hasty conclusions before the official announcement.

But one reporting line has repeatedly surfaced: that the US president, determined to keep a central pledge to his political base to fight illegal immigration, plans to end the symbolically important program after a six-month delay intended to give Congress time…

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