The Mayor of Chicago has declared a “Trump-free zone” in the city in after the US President scrapped a scheme that protects hundreds of thousands of young migrants.
Mr Trump's controversial decision to roll back the programme has left the future of nearly 800,000 people protected under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) legislation hanging in the balance.
Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel assured beneficiaries of the programme, known as Dreamers, that Chicago Public Schools are a “Trump-free” sanctuary.
The term Dreamers comes from the proposed DREAM Act, which planned to give unauthorised immigrants legal status in exchange for attending college or joining the military.
“To all the Dreamers that are here in this room and in the city of Chicago: You are welcome in the city of Chicago. This is your home. And you have nothing to worry about,” Mr. Emanuel told a group of freshman on the first day of classes at Solorio Academy High School, the Chicago Sun-Times reported.
“Chicago, our schools, our neighbourhoods, our city, as it relates to what President Trump said, will be a Trump-free zone. You have nothing to worry about."
He added: “And I want you to know this, and I want your families to know this. And rest assured, I want you to come to school … and pursue your dreams.”
Mr Trump’s Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced the decision to scrap Daca on Tuesday, which prompted hundreds to protest in New York and Washington.
Chicago's Democratic mayor, Mr Emanuel, served as White House chief of staff under Barack Obama after the 2008 presidential election.
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Mr Obama has personally appealed to the Trump administration to keep Daca. Writing on Facebook, he said "Ultimately, this is about basic decency. This is about whether we are a people who kick hopeful young strivers out of America, or whether we treat them the way we'd want our own kids to be treated."
