People attend a rally protesting against U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program in front of the White House in Washington D.C., the United States, on Sept. 5, 2017.(Xinhua/Yin Bogu)

WASHINGTON, Sept. 5 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions said Tuesday the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program has been rescinded, potentially putting 800,000 illegal immigrants at the danger of deportation.

"I'm here today to announce that the program known as DACA that was effectuated under the Obama administration is being rescinded," Sessions said in a press conference at the Department of Justice.

"The DACA program was implemented in 2012, and essentially provided a legal status for recipients or a renewable two-year term work authorization and other benefits," Sessions said.

His announcement came after U.S. President Donald Trump called on Congress Tuesday to take action to address the issue.

According to a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) memorandum released Tuesday, the DHS will stop accepting new DACA applications, and will review case by case pending requests.

The memo said all current recipients whose DACA benefits expire before March of next year, may renew their request before Oct. 5, in effect leaving a six-month window before Congress comes up with a long-term solution.

In a written statement, Trump said he is looking forward to working with Congress to finally address all of these issues "in a manner that puts the hardworking citizens of our country first."

Meanwhile, hundreds of protesters, many of whom are recipients of the DACA program, gathered outside the White House to voice their anger.

"The termination of the DACA deals another blow to the American Dream," Marie Erichson, a student protester, told Xinhua.

As the DACA program was only open to those who have arrived in the United States at young age, the DACA recipients were often referred to as the "Dreamers."