Trump will announce decision on DACA Tuesday, White House says

Minnesotans have sent letters to the president urging him to protect "dreamers."

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A long list of people – from CEOs to Republicans – are writing letters to President Donald Trump, urging him to keep a program that allows some people who came here illegally as children to stay in the U.S.

There are about 787,000 of these so-called "dreamers" who are protected under the program, called DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals), including nearly 6,300 in Minnesota.

DACA – created by President Barack Obama in 2012 – protects "dreamers" from being deported and allows them to work and go to school in the U.S.

People who are eligible can apply for DACA protection for two-year periods of time.

But, President Trump has been under pressure from some to stop accepting DACA renewal applications, which would mean when a "dreamer's" two years are up, there wouldn't be a guarantee they'd get to stay in the U.S., NBC News explains.

And Trump has until Sept. 5 to effectively end the program, or 10 attorneys general said they'd sue to block the program in court.

With that date fast approaching, the White House said Friday Trump would announce his decision on Tuesday.

Minnesotans urge Trump to keep DACA

With just a few days until the president is expected to announce his decision, many are urging Trump to keep the program.

Gov. Mark Dayton and Minnesota state senators have both issued statements supporting DACA, and Dayton says he's among the many leaders – both from Minnesota and elsewhere – who've pledged their support for "dreamers" and the program since the Sept. 5 deadline was set.

Hundreds of business leaders – including Best Buy CEO Hubert Joly – have also signed a letter to Trump and Congressional leaders demanding Congress pass legislation to preserve the program permanently.

The letter notes the "dreamers" underwent extensive background checks, are paying taxes and giving back to their communities, plus they are "vital to the future of our companies."

Without DACA, the "dreamers" wouldn't be able to work in the country and could be deported immediately. This could cost the economy $460.3 billion from the national GDP and $24.6 billion in Social Security and Medicare tax contributions, the letter adds.